Just in… 2023: IGP in closed door meeting with heads of political parties

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba on Thursday held a closed door meeting with leaders of political parties in the country, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

During the meeting the which held at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP cautioned the leaders of political parties on the noticable increase of violence that has characterised campaigns ahead of the 2023 general elections, during the meeting

At the meeting which also had personnel from the military and other security agencies in attaendance, Alkali said it had become necessary to hold party leaders accountable following a trend within the national political space which could evolve into a potent threat to national security and the electoral process.

“This meeting is convened with the main agenda of engaging the political parties’ leadership on this trend and to present a common front in addressing it in the overriding interest of our national security and democracy,” Alkali said while addressing the audience.

“In so doing, I must clearly emphasise that violence goes beyond politicking, it is a crime that is well captured under extant criminal laws, both in its planning and execution”, he stated while warning that the security agencies would not watch as the violence continued.

Read also:Kidnapping: IGP orders deployment of police tactical squad to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The police boss further warned, that firm actions will be put in place that will deter targeted attacks on INEC assets across the country.

“More than a stern warning, this is a clarion call for us all, both as security agencies and political actors to speak out with one voice in condemning political violence in overriding national security and democratic interests,” the IGP said.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now