Plateau Police CP, Says VGN, Hunters Association, Neighbourhood Watch, Others Are Banned And Barred From 2023 Election Activities In The State

Yakubu Busari

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew N. Onyeka has echoed loudly the banning of  all local security heads groups VGN, Hunters Association, Neighbourhood Watch, Quasi State organs, during the 2023 electioneering periods, have no legal role to play in the electoral process and are therefore prohibited from partaking in any electoral process before, during and after the aforementioned political activities.

Onyeka noted that they are strictly guided by the fact that all quasi-security outfits that were established by the state government and local communities and which are operating under different nomenclatures, structures, and orientations have no legal rules under the Electoral Act, 2020 and within the electoral process.

Hence you are charged to ensure that they are not in any way or manner used by any political or community actor for any role during the electioneering campaigns and other electoral processes in the count down to the 2023 general elections. Such will amount to act in illegality and a potent threat to national security which could be inimical to our nation’s democratic interest.

He stated that ,”All Area Commanders, PMF Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Heads of Police Tactical Units are under strict instructions from the Police Force Headquarters not to tolerate any forms of political thuggery, intimidation, demonstration of violence conduct/clashes that may jeopardize the prevailing peace from any political party, politician or member of the public in their areas of responsibilities. They have also been directed to arrest and immediately prosecute any person in possession of firearm or dangerous weapons during campaigns and rallies in their respective jurisdictions in furthermore, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba.

He disclosed this during an  interactive meeting commissioner of Plateau state at the Police officers’ mess, Jos  ,which was convened in furtherance to my established leadership standard of engaging all strategic leaders and political aspirants  as the Independent National Electoral Commission {INEC} would be sounding the whistle that will signify the commencement of election campaigns for various political parties and offices in Nigeria.

According to him ,” In line with election guidelines in Nigeria, Political Parties also have the opportunity to unveil their candidates and manifestos to prospective voters in other to garner votes from the citizens”.

Onyeka reminded politicians that “Political activities are no doubt associated with lots of problems and challenges that are capable of threatening national security hence there is need for collective efforts to ensure that campaigns are conducted in peaceful, serene, conducive and secured atmosphere, devoid of rancour, mischief, misgivings and thuggery,”.

He pointed out that as the lead internal security agency in the state, it is the primary duty of the Police to ensure that all electoral activities are conducted without any hitch or security threat in any part of Plateau State as the countdown to the Political campaigns draws near, the Plateau State Police Command has put in place robust security arrangements and measures to ensure adequate security and safety for electioneering campaigns and rallies throughout the state.

Onyeka explained that the Police Command is poised to protect and safeguard all venues of campaigns and rallies as well as other INEC approved electioneering activities and all political parties throughout the state from now to the end of the campaign period for 2023 general elections.

We have also carried out district threat assessments and pre-campaigns evaluations and have commenced deployment of our personnel to passive flash points and vulnerable areas to prevent and nip in the bud any form of inter-party frictions, political thuggery, clashes and acts of lawlessness that can lead to the disturbance of public peace anywhere in the state.

The commissioner said this meeting also provides a unique opportunity to dissect current law enforcement realities and engage an all-inclusive approach to re-evaluate our security policing strategies against the backdrop of the dynamics of crime on the Plateau.

He stressed that this is with the overall goal of re-energizing the agencies in sustaining a stable internal security order. All Political parties are hereby advised to abide by the provisions of Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and INEC guidelines and play the game according to the rules. Party leaders and chieftains are to prevail on their flag bearers, members, supporters and fans not to engage in any act or conduct that can incite violence or constitute a breach of the peace anywhere on the Plateau, before, during and after the campaigns.

Beyond these broad agendas, the main purpose of this meeting is to review  the evolving political programs as laid out by the Independent National electoral  Commission {INEC} and chat clear pathways to ensure a smooth electoral process in the countdown to the 2023 general elections.

Onyeka charged that they have worked in compliance with section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC has confirmed that electioneering campaigns by all political Parties would officially commence on 28th September, 2022 which is Today.

The import of this is that the National Political Space would soon become active and the possibility of an increase in politically related offences may become heightened across the state.

As the lead security agency in the election security process, the political campaigns, security governance is primarily the statutory obligation of the Nigerian Police Force.

In this regard, I must remind you that the provision of the requisite professional leadership to achieve our election security mandate rest squarely on the shoulders of all of us that are here seated.

In aid of this process and as the ban on public campaigns by political parties is lifted by INEC, you must note the following:

I repeat, on no account should any of the above mentioned groups be seen anywhere near political campaigns and rallies in any parts of Plateau State. This is simply to inform all and sundry that all local security groups are hereby outlawed from being part of any political activities.

At this juncture, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, and the leaderships of all the Political parties in Plateau State are mutually mandated to come up with a campaign timetable that will address possible conflicts both in dates, time, and venues. The political campaign timetable of Plateau State should be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police for onward transmission to the office of the Inspector-General of Police immediately.

Therefore, I wish to firmly advise all Political Actors to subsume their campaigns within the extant legal frameworks, avoid actions or speeches that could inflame the political order and above all, cooperate with the Police/other security agencies in our drive to guarantee a peaceful electioneering process.

also wish to warn elements whose perception of democracy is the application of violence to have a rethink as the law enforcement under my watch is committed to dealing firmly with such characters within the dictates of the law and in furtherance to Mr. President’s desire to bequeath a legacy of entrenched democratic values to our beloved nation.

To this end, I assure all citizens of Plateau State of the optimal preparedness of the Nigeria Police/other security agencies to support the Independent National Electoral Commission in ensuring a peaceful electoral process that will manifest in a credible outcome of the 2023 general elections. I however, recognize the fact that the Police cannot achieve this all alone, the understanding and support of all citizens, strategic Political Actors remains vital.

I particularly acknowledge the critical role of the Military, other security agencies and the media in this process and specifically encourage all media practitioners to place national security interest above other sentiments and avoid projecting news items that could endanger tension and violence within the political space as the political campaigns commences.

Therefore, parents, guardians, traditional/religious leaders, the youths and the general public are hereby employed to monitor and prevail on their children, wards, subjects to be law abiding and resist the urge or temptation to be used by politicians to cause disturbance of public peace and violation of law and order during the periods of the campaign and beyond so that we can all collectively have cause to rejoice and merry at the end of peaceful and successful electioneering political activities.

Conclusively, I am delighted to welcome you all to this all important meeting. I look forward to a professionally engaging meetings and pray that almighty God should continually protect you all as you commit to advancing the democratic journey of our dear state and beloved country.