Inconclusive governorship election: Bauchi Police bans protests

FOR the interest of peace and harmony as well as in an effort to avoid further loss of lives, Bauchi State Police Command has placed a total ban on all forms of rallies and procession in the State without its express approval.

The decision to place the ban order was informed by the counter protests between supporters of the ruling APC and the main opposition PDP following the declaration of the last Saturday’s gubernatorial election inconclusive by INEC through the State Returning Officer, Professor Kyari Mohammed in the early hours of Monday after the collation of the results.

According to a press release signed and issued by the Command PPRO, DSP Kamal Datti Abubakar the ban on protests by supporters of the two main actors in the gubernatorial election will reduce the tension that has built up in Bauchi as well as return law and order.”

The release further contained that, “Meanwhile with regards to some reported cases of attacks on innocent members of the public by suspected Sara-Suka political thugs which most times emanated from political rallies in Bauchi metropolis, the Command wishes to assure the members of the public that, it is on top of the situation and is taking necessary measures to deal with the menace once and for all.”

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The Command according to the release further stated that “Sequel to the declaration of Bauchi State Gubernatorial Election held on 09/03/2019 as inconclusive by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and subsequent scheduling of rerun election on 23/03/2019 in some parts of the State. The Bauchi State Police Command calls on the good people of the State to remain calm and avoid any act capable of causing breakdown of law and order at this critical time.”

The Command also used the medium to appeal for cooperation and understanding of the members of the public in this regard starring that “as it is done in the best interest of peace loving people of the State and to ensure that, the relative peace and security in the State is sustained.”

It would be recalled that series of protests have followed the declaration of the gubernatorial election in the state as inconclusive a development that has even led to the loss of lives of innocent people who were attacked by political thugs popularly known as ‘Sara-Suka’ who have been on a rampage in some parts of the metropolis.