Police in Sokoto state has warned intending troublemakers not to go near polling unit on election days, saying the command are ready to make the elections free and fair.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Usman Abubakar Tilli gave the warning on Wednesday while addressing political parties’ leaders at a stakeholders meeting.
The DIG, represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in the zone, Muhammad Mustapha, disclosed that security agencies in the state are fully ready for the election which he promised will be, free, fair and commendable in the state.
Also Speaking, the State Commissioner for Police, CP, Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje disclosed that with the cooperation of other security agencies, his command will deliver a crisis-free election in the State.
He reassured the participants that no politicians will be allowed to move around with any security agent on the election day.
He revealed that his command has arrested no fewer than 11 political touts in related to the crisis that occurred in Sabon Birni recently between the supporters of PDP and that of APC, which led to the admission of a police Divisional Police Officer, DPO in the hospital.
The CP urged politicians to play politics by observing the rules and regulations of the land so as to avoid violence during and after the election.
Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commission, (REC) for Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in the State, Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar Musa has dismissed the allegations that his Commission will trade with any political parties in the State on the issue of PVCs.
He revealed that all the remaining PVCs in the State has already been returned to the National Headquarters of the Commission in Abuja for safekeeping till after the 2019 general elections.
According to Abubakar, ” I swear by the Holy Qur’an and the day of judgement, nobody, I repeat nobody on Earth can tell me change the results of Sokoto elections to favour any politicians.
” I stand before everyone and my Creator that only the eligible voters in the state will be allowed to votes.
” Once again, I make a promise between me and the day of judgement that to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the State and I assure you that elections results in the State will be announced in Sokoto here” he revealed.
Responding, the All Progressive Congress, APC chairman in the State, Hon. Sadiq Achida assured the security agencies that his party members will conduct themselves peacefully.
He advised politicians in the State to play politics with fear of God and to remember the day of judgement where everyone will be called upon to give account.
The State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma also assured of his party to the call for peaceful elections in the State.
He corroborated the statement of APC Chairman, saying henceforth there would not be any political unrest in the State. Milgoma advised all the political leaders present to stand by their words and desist from violence conduct during the election period.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Immigration Service in the State has assured of adequate security within the border post, by ensuring that all the border post will be closed down on election day.
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