IGP Frowns at Electoral Violence

Prior to the 2023 elections, some governors, according to Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, are inciting political unrest.

He made this claim during a speech at a gathering of political parties and other stakeholders at the force’s headquarters in Abuja.

The IGP claims that the police have been getting allegations of several State Governors encouraging political thugs and subnational security organisations under their command to obstruct smooth and legally guaranteed campaign activities of parties or candidates in the opposition.

He said, “In so doing, they deploy their powers and influences to either prevent the mounting of campaign billboards or pull them down while denying political opponents of spaces to undertake their campaigns or peaceful political congregations in contravention of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.”

In order to counteract all sorts of political violence before election season, the IGP stated that the police were putting procedures in place.

He claims that the steps include increasing information gathering and sending more security personnel to all national INEC sites and assets.

The IGP further promised to swiftly apprehend and bring charges against anyone with continued electoral violence.