The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has condemned in strong terms the Police assault on the Young Progressive Party (YPP) councillorship candidate for Otolo Ward 1, Nnewi North local government area, Hon. Okonkwo Onyemaobi Kenneth, during the recent Anambra State local government election.
It said the unprovoked attack on Kenneth including the use of tear gas to subdue him is outrageous, barbaric and despicable.
In a statement by the national publicity secretary of IPAC, Mrs Chinyere Kalu and made available to journalists in Abuja, yesterday, IPAC said that it is more pathetic as the candidate is living with disability and was in the polling unit to exercise his franchise.
“Instead of being protected by the police, he was assaulted and dehumanised in an unwarranted show of force, and had to be admitted in hospital. Council condemns this police brutality, impunity and rascality, and calls on the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State command and the Inspector General of Police to fish out and sanction the perpetrators of the attack on Hon. Kenneth. There are no second class citizens in this country, Nigerians should be treated with respect and dignity particularly while exercising their civic duty,” the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria said.
It said police neutrality during elections is critical to the survival of democracy in Nigeria, saying they are deployed to polling units to provide security not to disrupt elections and assault voters and candidates of opposition parties.
“IPAC will take up this matter to ensure justice is served. Council has been in the vanguard for free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections. Participatory polls are the bedrock of sustainable democracy and development.
“Stakeholders in the electoral process should demonstrate patriotism and respect the mandate of the people.
This is the only way we will deepen and consolidate the nation’s emerging democracy. Police brutality has no place in the electoral process.
All lovers of democracy in Nigeria should condemn violence in all its ramifications,” it said.
