By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Ahead of the 2023 General polls, the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, Yekini A. Ayoku, has warned politicians that no room would be given for the flouting of the Amended Electoral Act, or any acts that would lead to breakdown of law and order.

He disclosed this during a meeting with political party leaders and other stakeholders held on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at the Police Officers’ Mess in Kaduna.

The Commissioner said that the primacy of the Nigeria Police Force in election security management was not new to all present.

“I take the liberty of this interface to remind you of our expectations of you and what the new Electoral Act requires of you:

“The law prohibits the use of non-state security outfits and the bearing or use of weapons such as dane guns, swords, daggers, bows, arrows and other dangerous weapons at campaign venues.

“Political parties and candidates are mandated to base their campaigns on issues and ideas as politics is basically a contest of ideas without bitterness. You are to eschew violence, hate speech, indecorous language which have the tendency of escalating into chaos.

“I have to seriously warn against removal/defacing of opponents’ posters and banners as I equally remind that there should be no pasting of banners on public buildings as government institutions, schools, hospitals, INEC offices and worship centres.

“In planning your campaign itinerary, I require you to submit your campaign schedule/application for security to my office 48 hours prior to such campaigns or rallies for proper harmonization to avoid clash or convergence of such activities at the same location, day and conflicting timing.

“Political parties are strongly advised not to make the mistake of employing the services of thugs and other miscreants in the electoral process. Parents and guardians are equally warned to caution their children and wards into being used for thuggery.

"Politicians in this state should not, in their own interest, test the will and capacity of the State Police Command to strictly enforce the laws governing the electoral process. Violators, regardless of status, will be arrested and dealt with without mercy in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws,” he stated.

He congratulated all the political parties on the successful conduct of their party primaries which have produced candidates for the various elective offices.