By Sharon Fatogun
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, have called for peace ahead of the September 22 governorship election in Osun State.
The duo gave the warning in Osogbo on Thursday at a one-day seminar with the theme, ‘Imperativeness of police collaboration with essential stakeholders: Towards secured, free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.’
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, specifically warned politicians in the country to desist from acts and utterances capable of precipitating violence ahead of the Osun State governorship poll as well as the 2019 general election.
“Let me use this opportunity to advise politicians and their supporters to desist from certain conducts which will precipitate violence.
“Such conduct include but not limited to arming of political thugs and making hate speeches before, during and after the elections, Canvassing/soliciting for votes, dissuading voters from voting for candidates of their own choice, loitering, blaring of the siren on the day of the election.
“Disrespecting police officers and disobeying the restriction of movement orders on the day of elections as well as moving about by government officials with their security aides” he said.
Similarly speaking, Olusegun Agbaje stated that enough security personnel will be deployed to the State to ensure that the election goes on peacefully. He said this is in the bid to avoid grievances from candidates, and the general public after the election.
“It is pertinent to note that over 15,700 Ad-hoc staff would be deployed for the conduct of the election, similarly, 16,000 security personnel would also be deployed to man the INEC facilities.”