Security agencies in Anambra State on Monday warned various political parties, as well as their candidates and supporters that the full weight of the law awaits anybody who in any way tries to cause trouble in the course of the February 2015 general elections.

Security chiefs in the state handed down the warning at a stakeholders meeting held in Awka, the state capital, which had as theme, ‘Towards a credible and non-violence elections in Anambra’. They and other stakeholders observed that all eyes are on Nigeria over the elections, reminding politicians and their supporters that there must be winners and losers since politics is a game.

In his keynote address at the event, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, said elections remain the heart of any democratic governance. He declared that the ability of any country to successfully conduct non-violent elections is a crucial indicator of its democracy and necessary condition for the sustenance of national unity.

In his words, “As January winds up, bringing closer the month of February, which is the month of the country’s elections, it is no hidden fact that political parties and their candidates are battle-ready to outwit, outshine and outmaneuver each other in the contest for power.

“It is also no hidden fact that parties and their candidates indulge in some acts that are quite unhealthy to our polity and inimical to the well-being of the nation, while the security agencies and the electoral body are often accused of partiality and lack of professionalism in the electoral process.

“These issues have often predisposed the political actors and their followers to violence, thereby undermining our electoral integrity. Accordingly, having been statutorily empowered to provide and maintain adequate internal security in the country, it is imperative that political parties, their standard bearers and other stakeholders interact on how best to ensure electoral security and enlighten them on the need to conduct one’s political ambition within the ambit of the law and in strict adherence to rules of engagement.

“Our politicians and political parties are therefore implored to embrace the game of politics with the spirit of sportsmanship and ensure that laid down rules are strictly followed. Remember that no one has monopoly of violence and violence does not do anyone any good.”

Karma stressed that security personnel shall not hesitate to arrest and bring to book anyone who goes against the laws of the land or sponsors violence in the guise of any form.

On his part, the State Director of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Alex Okeiyi, observed that many politicians have a penchant to deploy thugs during elections. He warned them to also desist from the habit of engaging students to carry out dirty jobs for them, adding that the long arm of the law would catch up with them.

Okeiyi warned that his men would not hesitate to arrest those who deface and destroy the posters and billboards of political opponents, which, according to him, usually happens at night.

He equally vowed that those who stockpile Permanent Voters’ Cards would be dealt with according to the law, explaining that nobody should be seen with PVC other than his own.

Though most of the candidates were not present at the meeting, their representatives complained that the issue of those who still parade themselves as candidates when their names are not contained in the list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is creating tension in the state.

They pleaded with security operatives to prevent such people from pasting their posters and organising campaigns where they tell unsuspecting eligible voters that they are the rightful candidates of their parties.

They however warned that the people of Anambra State would no longer tolerate the deceit and confusion being engineered by such people.

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