By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Police Force on Wednesday requested that political parties submit drafts of their campaign calendars that included the dates and locations of activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aminu Alhassan, said this was in order to ensure that the police are fully prepared to avoid any conflict that can result from the proximity of events organized by various parties. CP Alhassan explained this to the Chairmen and Secretaries of 12 political parties at the conference hall of the command headquarters in Calabar.
According to the schedule provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the presidential and National Assembly campaigns officially began on Wednesday. The police chief, who divided the period’s three phases into campaign, elections, and post-election period, also expressed his satisfaction that the campaigns have started in order to put an end to phony campaigns known as greetings and tours.
He issued a warning against using unlicensed security personnel or firms and declared that the command would not think twice about apprehending and prosecuting those responsible. Furthermore, he warned against the destruction of billboards and posters and called for issue-based campaigns.
The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Venatius Ikem Esq in his remarks said the party was still aggrieved by the actions of the security agents during the February 26, 2022, legislative by-elections. He called on the Police to remain neutral, which the CP accepted. He said his party was facing challenges in putting up billboards despite paying the requisite fees.
Comrade Jonathan Ugbal, a representative of the African Action Congress, inquired as to who could be prosecuted, and the CP responded that only those in uniform and functioning as security agents, as well as those who hired them.
He counseled the police to consult with other security agents regarding the usage of security agents on election day and to make sure that security officials wear their uniforms and tags in order to be properly identified.
The representative of the Social Democratic Party, Dr. Ramzy Ambo called for a conference to better sensitize politicians on the plans of the security agents which CP Alhassan said the police had no funds for, but will gladly participate.
For Dr. Lawrence Ekwok of the National Rescue Movement, every party was critical to ensuring peace and security. He pointed out that aside from the PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC Chairmen, no other political party Chairman has a police orderly.
Several others who spoke, called on the police to be wary of false allegations against political opponents claiming that they were hiring quasi-security guards and pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure the 2023 general elections are peaceful.
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