2015:Play Rancor-Free Politics, AIG Urges Politicians

Source: pointblanknews.com

The Assistant-Inspector-General of police in-charge of Zone 1, Alhaji Tambari Muhammad Yabo has warned politicians in the Zone to adhere strictly to the rule and regulations governing elections and electioneering campaigns.

The Police boss who said this during a one-day sensitization programme targeted at ensuring peaceful elections in the zone said the police will not condone any act of violence and electoral malpractice come 2015 elections.

Pointblanknews.com reports that Kano, Jigawa and Katsina which made up Zone 1 are notable flashpoints during elections in Nigeria.

Yabo urged politicians in the three states to conduct themselves according to the dictates of the law while politicking ahead the 2015 general elections.

Yabo during the programme held at Police Officers Mess, Kano, on Monday said the police would not condone any act of violence during political activities heralding next year's general election, urging them to play politics in line with the laid down rules and regulations.

Yabo warned that the police in the Zone will not condone any act that is capable of breaching peace and order during and after electioneering campaign.

He said all political meetings and rallies in the Zone must be endorsed and monitored by respective Police Commissioners in the three states that made up the Zone, adding that, “any such breach by any of the political parties will attract the wrath of the law.

“As Nigerians and members of political parties, you hail from different ethnic groups; and your respective backgrounds differ significantly. You, however, share a common value, that is, a desire to create a strong, united and peaceful Nigeria where respect for human lives, values, dignity and protection of lives and properties are paramount.”

The AIG urged politicians and political parties in the Zone to avoid disorderly behaviours during political meetings, campaigns, rallies and processions, adding that any body found making inciting statements during political campaigns must be made to face the law.

He also spoke on the need to ensure decency during political campaigns, pointing out that the issue of thuggery and display of dangerous weapons during campaigns and elections will seriously be tackled by the police.

“Avoid sponsoring and indulging in the use of illicit drugs that normally send people into the state of hallucination. Avoid snatching of ballot papers and boxes, rigging in all ramifications. Avoid the use and sponsoring of under-aged persons for voting during elections. Avoid politics of tribalism, nepotism, regionalism and all forms of sectarian antagonism,” the police boss further warned.

Yabo promised that the workshop will further hold at state, Local Government and Ward levels so as to take the message down to the grass-roots.