The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, has urged all political parties to embrace peaceful electioneering campaign across the country ahead of the 2023 general elections.
To this end, the police boss solicited their cooperation with the police and other security agencies, to ensure a peaceful campaign across the country.
He stated this yesterday in Abuja at the signing of the first National Peace Accord on 2023 General Election by all the presidential candidates and their political parties.
He added that Commissioners of Police across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT were directed to meet with the leaderships of all political parties and Resident Electoral Commissioners in their respective states towards mutually evolving the campaign schedules.
He directed that the order be implemented in a manner that would address possible cross-party conflicts in date, time, and venue of their campaigns.
“I assure that a level playing field and adequate security will be provided for all the political parties during the campaigns.
“I however, wish to specially appeal to all political parties to cooperate with the Nigeria Police in this process and in our general drive to ensure a peaceful electioneering campaign across the country,” he said.
The I-G said the event had complemented President Muhammadu Buhari’s initiative to build a broad political and all inclusive consensus in committing political parties, candidates, agents to the path of conducting their campaigns in a peaceful manner.
“As we witness the signing of the Peace Accord, I call on all political actors across party lines, to in the overriding national security interest, seal the document in their hearts.
“We will engage the leadership of all political parties at all levels, civil society organisations, the military intelligence community, other security agencies and all other strategic stakeholders in achieving our mandates,”the police boss said.
