Police Inspector General Usman Baba has said that since the official start of campaigning for the 2023 general election, there have been no fewer than 52 cases of political, intra- and inter-party violence in 22 states.
He said this on Thursday in a meeting with the heads of the main political parties at the force’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, the federal government has deployed State Services Department operatives, soldiers, civil defense forces and Federal Fire Service personnel to INEC offices across the country ahead of the 2023 elections.
Security Collaboration: He said that to curb these acts of violence, the police are collaborating with other security agencies to increase the deployment of security teams at all INEC assets and facilities throughout the country.
- “For our part, and as a result of the ICCES meeting, the Nigerian Police Force, working in collaboration with other security agencies, resolved to improve the collection of intelligence, share it and use it to stop acts of political violence, improve the Deployment of security teams. to all INEC assets and facilities across the country with teams from the Nigerian Police, Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Civil Defense and Security Corps and Federal Fire Service to take decisive legal action against providers of hate speech, incitement to violence, mobilization of thugs and other violations, including the prompt arrest, investigation and prosecution of offenders in accordance with the provisions of Sections 92 and 93 of the Electoral Law of 2022 and its amendments”. he said.
- Speaking about the need for the meeting, he said: “youTheir meeting became expedient following a notable trend within the national political space that, if not promptly addressed, could become a potent threat not only to our national security but also to the electoral process.
- “From past experiences, electoral violence, both in the process leading up to an election and in the aftermath of an election, has always posed the most dangerous threat to our democracy.”
- ”Political violence manifests itself in three ways. First, the violence directed against the staff and assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission, as seen recently in Ogun and Osun states.
- “The second form of political violence manifests itself in the form of intolerance and inter-party violence, which often become particularly pronounced during campaigns, elections, and post-election phases.
- “It is on record that no fewer than 52 cases of this type of politically motivated intra- and inter-party violence have been recorded in 22 states since the official start of the 2023 general election campaigns on September 28, 2022.
He revealed that the police have received reports of state governors using thugs to disrupt the campaigns of rival political parties.
- He said, “The latest form of political violence is related to the behavior of some state governors who display traits of political intolerance, which often inflame political tension. In this regard, we have received reports of some state governors encouraging political thugs and subnational security teams under their control to disrupt campaign activities guaranteed by law and without disruption of parties or candidates with whom they have opposing political views.
- “In doing so, they deploy their powers and influence to prevent the erection of campaign billboards or tear them down, while denying political opponents spaces to carry out their campaigns or peaceful political gatherings in contravention of the provisions of the Electoral Law. of 2022 (As amended).”