25 January, 2015

IGP ORDERS CLAMPDOWN ON POLITICAL THUGS

AS the February general elections approach, police hierarchy has begun efforts to make the exercise crises-free as order has been given towards a clampdown on political thugs across the country.
The Force Public ralations Officer (FPRO), Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, who disclosed this in a statement issued at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Saturday, said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, gave the order.
Ojukwu added that t
he order came on the heel of reports of violent activities at political gatherings and meetings in parts of the country despite warnings that had been given to politicians, a development said to have become a source of worry for Abba.
“The Inspector-General of Police IGP Suleiman Abba, is seriously concerned that despite several warnings to political actors, their sponsors and collaborators against the recourse to violence and the use of thugs in furthering political interests, there have been reports of untoward activities in political campaigns and meetings.
“The IGP notes that it is particularly worrisome that of recent, thugs and miscreants have been employed by some political parties to disrupt and truncate the political campaigns of their opponents.
“In some instances, stones and missiles have been hauled at the nation’s highly respected citizens and leaders. Abusive and demeaning words and, in some instances, offensive vituperations bordering on the macabre have been hauled at opponents,” Ojukwu said.
The police authorities also mentioned that the rate at which political actors were pulling down and defacing billboards and posters of parties opposed to them was escalating, adding that such acts contravened Section 227 of the 1999 Constitution, Sections 94 and 95 of the Electoral Act as well as some sections of Public Order Act and Political Parties Code of Conduct.
Thus, according to the FPRO, the IGP directed all Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in the zones as well as commissioners in the state commands to thoroughly investigate any such cases in their domain, stating that no culprit would be allowed to escape punishment.
“We have also received disturbing reports of the pulling down and defacing of campaign posters. These conducts definitely do not speak well of the maturity of aspiring leaders. Such acts contravene Section 227 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Sections 94 and 95 of the Electoral Act.
“Besides, they grossly negate Sections 5 to 8 of the Public Order Act and Article 3 of the Political Parties Code of conduct commonly agreed to and adopted by all political parties.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigeria Police will apply the full weight of the law on any political actor, sponsor, associate or foot-soldier who resorts to hate speech or the use of violence to advance his or her political agenda. The unity, peace and orderly progress of this nation cannot be mortgaged to suite or oil the ambitions of a few. 

Source: Tribune

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