2019: Police Will Not Condone Hate Speeches, Criminal Conduct From Politicians- IGP
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris on Monday warned that the Nigerian Police will not condone hate speeches, indecent and criminal defamatory conducts from any individuals or groups that can cause threat to public peace and safety anywhere in the country during the campaigns and beyond.
The police boss declared that the Nigerian Police is committed to free and fair elections in 2019.
Speaking during an interactive lecture with critical stakeholders ahead of the 2019 general elections at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters, Eleyele Ibadan, he reassured Nigerians that they should not be afraid, as police are committed to free and fair conduct of elections.
Represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Glover Oshodi, the IGP said the force would not condone hate speeches, indecent and criminal defamatory conducts from any individuals or groups that can cause threat to public peace and safety, adding that the full wrath of the law would be applied on any individuals or groups arrested.
He said “we will use all resources within our capacity to achieve this feat.
“I am here speaking from the directives of the Inspector General of police Idris Ibrahim, who has directed us to initiated this kind of summit in all states including the federal capital territory Abuja, to sit with the critical stakeholders and to reason a way out for a peaceful conduct of 2019 general elections and I can tell you that from what we have been able to achieve through the roundtable meetings, we will achieve a desired result at the end.”
DIG Glover also said that,” the Commissioner of Police in the 36 six state police commands, inclusive federal capital territory and their supervisory assistant inspectors general of police in the 12 zonal commands have also been directed by the Inspector General of Police to protect and safeguard all the venue of campaigns, rallies and other INEC approved electioneering activities of all political parties throughout the country from the end of the stipulated campaign period for the 2019 general election.
“Commissioner of Police are to effect arrest and immediately prosecute any party member or supporters in possession of firearms or dangerous weapons during political campaigns and rallies in their respective states.
“The force will not condone hate speeches, indecent and criminal defamatory conducts from any individuals or groups that can cause threat to public peace and safety anywhere in the country during the campaigns and beyond and I can assure you that the full wrath of the law will apply on any individuals or groups that arrested.’’
The police chief advice all parents and guidance to take good care of their children and wards during the campaigns and election.
He said ” parents and guidance, traditional and religious leaders, inclusive public office holders are hereby implored to monitor their children, wards, subjects, and adherent to be law abiding and resist to be used to cause disturbance of public peace and violation of law and order during the period of the campaigns and beyond.@
Also speaking, the Oyo state INEC commissioner Mr. Mutiu Agboke said the people should be rest assured that INEC will make sure that each vote is count.
He said “the coming election will be free and fair, we are assuring you of peaceful conduct of elections come 2019, INEC is ready we will be a fair empire and not bias empire, all the party are equal and they will be treated as such.’’
