Posted by Security chiefs, under the direction of Commissioner of Police Yekini A. Ayoku, read out the riot act to political parties, their candidates, and supporters on Friday in advance of the general elections in Kaduna State in 2023.
CP Ayoku said, “The Electoral Act 2022, especially in Sections 92-97 has prohibited and criminalized a number of conducts and acts,” while speaking to political parties and their supporters.
According to him, it is against the law to carry or use weapons like Dane guns, swords, daggers, bows, and arrows at campaign locations. He also claims that non-state security organizations are prohibited from participating in campaigns, rallies, and other electoral activities.
In light of the fact that politics is essentially a battle of ideas, he cautioned political parties and their candidates against using thugs and other miscreants in the electoral process. Instead, he advised them to focus solely on issues in their campaigns.
He also issued warnings against defacing or removing opponent placards and banners, inciting violence, using foul or offensive language, and inciting hate speech.
In order to properly plan and avoid scheduling conflicts, he said that political parties and candidates must still submit their campaign schedules in advance to his office.
In order to prevent any breakdown of law and order during the political campaigns, during the elections, and after the elections, he advised them to always follow the rules.
Brigadier General C. Ogbuabo, Garrison Commander, 1 Division, Kaduna Air Commodore A.A Adedoyin, 453 Base Service Group Nigerian Airforce Kaduna, and CC Yakubu Salihu were present at the meeting, which was called by the Police Commissioner.
Nigeria Customs Kaduna, Controller of Customs Kaduna Area Command.
Others included DCC Garba Lawal, Assistant Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps, Kaduna Sector Command, DC Kalu Ndukwe, Deputy Commandant Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, CC Ado Sale, Controller of Corrections, Kaduna State Command, and DDIS Ibrahim Abdu Sarki Department of Security Service, Kaduna.
Isa Muhammad Ashiru, Uba Sani, Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, and Jonathan Asake, candidates for the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were all present at the meeting.
The parties consented to follow the guidelines established by the electoral act.