Ahead of this Saturday, November 8, Anambra State governorship election, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun ,has warned that any electoral offence committed would be treated as a threat to national security and not mere electoral offence.
IGP Egbetokun stated this at the signing of a peace accord by all stakeholders in the election attended by leaders of all the 16 political parties participating in the election, their candidates, supporters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by chairman of the commission, Prof Joash Amupitan at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka yesterday.
The peace accord signing was organised by the The Kukah Centre and attended by the chairman of the National Peace Committee, former military Head of state, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) represented by General Matthew Akwai; Found, The Kukah Centre and Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah; INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN; Deputy Inspector -general of police (in-charge of operations), DIG Ben Okolo.
IGP Egbetokun also reiterated the warning later when he addressed officers and men of the state police command at the state headquarters, Amawbia.
He warned all security officers that each person would be held responsible for his actions during the election.
He emphasised to them about the importance of maintaining neutrality and professionalism during the election period.
Egbetokun said, “The Nigerian Police Force, as the lead agency for internal security and election management, is committed to preventing crime, preserving public order, and protecting lives and property”.
IGP ordered the security operatives to ensure zero-tolerance for electoral offences, such as ballot snatching and vote buying, and stressed the importance of swift and exemplary enforcement.
