The Sokoto State command of the Nigerian Police Force has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the upcoming governorship and house of assembly elections in the state are conducted peacefully.
In a meeting held with political stakeholders and contestants ahead of the elections, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Zanna, warned against any attempt to cause a breach of the peace or violate the electoral act before, during, and after the polls. He emphasized the need for all to adhere to the movement restriction order during the election.
Zanna also stated that the command had collaborated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to guarantee security, safety, and a peaceful environment for the conduct of the polls. He further announced that additional anti-riots and crowd control management equipment had been mobilized to enhance the security architecture of the operation.
The Police Boss vowed to work in synergy with INEC and other security agencies to ensure a smooth and peaceful conduct of the elections. He warned that anyone found engaging in political violence or electoral violations, including vote-buying, would be prosecuted regardless of their personality. Additionally, Zanna warned non-constitutional security organs, such as vigilantes and other informal bodies, to steer clear of the elections as they have no role to play.
After the meeting, the chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Isa Sadiq Acida and his colleague respectively, assured that their parties would cooperate with security agents to ensure that the elections were free, fair, and credible.
In conclusion, the Sokoto State Police Command has expressed its readiness to ensure the peaceful conduct of the governorship and house of assembly elections in the state. They have assured residents, particularly the political class, of their commitment to guaranteeing a level playing ground for free, fair, and credible polls.
Comments are closed.