IGP Abba Warns Against Use Of Police Escorts By Politicians During Guber Poll

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election Wednesday, April 8th, 2015

By Niyi Adeyi – Four days to the Governorship and States Assemblies Elections, the Nigerian Police boss, (IGP) Suleiman Abba, has warned Politicians against using police escorts, to accompany them to the polling units during the Saturday polls.

Mr. Abba handed down the warning Wednesday in a statement issued in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu.

IGP said any policeman found in company of politicians at polling units, aside the officers on election duty, would be apprehended.

He stressed that only Policemen assigned for election duties must be seen within and around the election designated places, insisting that no armed Police escort must be found escorting politicians to their Polling units.

The erring policemen, Mr. Abba said after the arrest would be made to face stern disciplinary action.

IGP however commended the Police Officers who displayed high level of professionalism as well as patience demonstrated by the citizens during Saturday, March 28, 2015 Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has re-echoed that the smart card reader would be deployed in the weekend polls.

The State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi gave the assurance Wednesday at a stakeholders meeting in Ikeja, the State capital.

He reminded that all political campaigns must end by 12 midnight tomorrow (Thursday), warning that any political party, politician, candidate or agent who flouted the rule and campaign, while the polls were on would be arrested by law enforcement officers

The meeting was attended by the representatives of political parties; media organizations; election observers; party agents as well as security agencies.