Edo/Ondo Polls: Don’t Truncate Electoral Process, IGP Warns Politicians

Fisayo Olafusi, Akure

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu has warned politicians and their supporters to avoid tendencies capable of truncating the electoral process ahead of Ondo and Edo governorship elections.

The IGP  issued the warning via in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

IGP Mohammed Adamu speakinh through the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO)  Frank Mba, made this call after reviewing the Election Security Threat Assessment Reports submitted by the Commissioners of Police from both States.

The statement read “the Election Security Threat Analysis reveals amongst other indicators: arming and movement of political thugs, use of inciting statements during political campaigns, high likelihood of violence and possible cross attack by political opponents, misinformation/disinformation aimed at heating-up of the polity and deliberate efforts at delegitimizing government institutions involved in the electoral processes”.

Mba however disclosed that following this development, the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu has ordered the Commissioners of Police in the two States to rearrange their preparations and plans for the elections to accommodate and address the threats and emerging trends as contained in the security report.

The IGP assured that, the Force leadership has developed customized security architecture to protect the people and ensure hitch-free elections.

He, warned politicians and their supporters in the two States that, the Force would not hesitate to bring the full wrath of the law on anyone or group, irrespective of his or her status that may want to sabotage the security arrangement being emplaced for the elections.

He said the Police will continue to  protecting sanctity of the electoral process, noting that offocers would be neutral, uncompromised and work assiduously with all stakeholders in the concerned states to create level playing ground.