The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has said its interest in the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) election in the FCT was not unconnected to a petition it received against four of the contestants.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

She said that the clarification was necessary following erroneous recent viral social media posts that the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun, has special interest in the NUJ election.

Adeh said the claims were false, adding that the command had issued the clarification to set the record straight.

She said that the command, on Nov. 25, received a formal petition written by Emeka Nze, Victorson Agbenson and Johnchuks Onuanyim.

She said the petitioners had accused Miss Grace Ike, Miss Edeh Ogechukwu, Mr Yahaya Ndambabo and Mr. Jide Adeyemi of presenting forged Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) certificates to contest the election.

Adeh said the petition revealed that the certificates were purportedly not issued by the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ).

?The petition highlighted specific discrepancies in the certificates presented by the accused individuals.

?The command stresses that its involvement is strictly limited to investigating the allegations of forgery received via the written petition.

?As part of the investigation, the command invited the individuals named in the petition for questioning to verify the allegations,? she said.

Adeh said the invitation was in line with the duty of the police to uphold the rule of law, maintain order and safeguard democratic processes.

She urged parties involved, to respect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and refrain from spreading baseless accusations that could erode public trust. (NAN)