INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu
By Baba Shehu Gungura, Bauchi
The Police in Bauchi have task political parties over conduct of election as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assures of its readiness.
In preparation for the forthcoming general elections this year, the newly posted Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Mr. Ali Aji Janga, has enjoined political parties and their standard bearers to embrace the February 16 and March 2 general elections with the spirit of sportsmanship devoid of crisis.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ interactive session on Thursday aimed at reaching a peace accord towards ensuring violent-free and credible elections in the state, Mr Janga charged politicians to pursue their political ambitions within the bounds of the law and desist from invectives that could breed disaffection, bad blood and possible breakdown of law and order.
The meeting was attended by various heads of security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and their standard bearers in the state.
The Police Commissioner who was represented by his Deputy, Aliyu Adamu said: “None of your ambitions should be greater than the peace and collective security of the people. We shall not hesitate to arrest and bring to book anyone who goes against the laws of the land and or who sponsors violence in any guise or form.
“I want to stress that you should not allow any blood to drop because of your aspirations. Do not use a youth, a woman or a child because of your ambition.You were once a youth, if politicians in your days of youthfulness destroyed you, you will not be seen here today aspiring for any position of leadership,” he said.
He said that the game of politics was not a do or die affair, but that it is God who gives power to whom he pleases, assuring that the Police and the entire security community in the state was poised to ensure adequate electoral security, credibility of electoral process and impartiality of law enforcement officials.
The State Independent Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi in the state, gave the assurance that the commission was working towards ensuring credible, free and fair elections in the state.
Abdullahi counseled all aggrieved political parties to seek redress at the court over alleged campaigns being carried out by candidates not listed by the commission for the elections.
