2019: Gombe police raises alarm over possible breach of peace

AS political activities heighten preparatory to 2019 politicking, Gombe State Police Command has raised alarm over a possible breach of the peace in the state thereby calling the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other security agencies over the current political trend.

State Police Commissioner, Mr Shina Tairu Olukolu who raised the alarm at a stakeholders meeting in Gombe Friday declared that the current trend if left unchecked is capable of breaching peaceful electioneering campaigns ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The meeting which was aimed at creating awareness on the need for a peaceful electioneering campaign ahead of the 2019 general election was held at the Command headquarters in Gombe.

While addressing the stakeholders meeting which included INEC officials in the state, political parties and security agencies in the State, Shina Olukolu said early warning signals have shown that competing political offices co-located beside each other is capable of brewing unprovoked attacks on individuals and their property based on party differences.

He explained that “The problem that triggers security concerns is when violence is introduced to the game of politics, hence, a situation where competing political party offices are co-located beside each other and unprovoked attacks on individuals and their property based on party differences are part of the early warning signals to violence.”

According to him, a recent review has shown some early warning signals that something is not right saying, “The political leaders will benefit more if their followers are educated and informed on the need to live together in peace and harmony to sustain the name of all good people of Gombe state.”

He, however, stated that the security agencies in the State are ready to apply the law in case of breaches by individuals and groups no matter how highly placed.

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In his remarks, the Gombe State Deputy Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Ado Gabani, said a lot has been achieved on peace and security by the APC led Federal government.

On his own, the State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Buba Shanu said peace does not bring itself but is created by leaders.

He, therefore, commended the maturity of political parties in Gombe state and appealed to security agencies to be organizing forums where political parties will frequently meet.

The Gombe State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim emphasized the need for tolerance among political parties and stated that INEC has a cordial relationship with all the political parties in the State and called for their continuous cooperation.