IGP warns Kogi politicians to desist from violence

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has urged the political stakeholders in the State to play the game by its rule to avoid violence before, during and after election election on Saturday.

Egbetokun made this call at the one-day engagement with the critical stakeholders ahead of the Kogi governorship election held at the Edge Drive Hotel in Lokoja on Tuesday.

The Inspector General of Police explained that there are laws guiding elections in Nigeria, adding that if everyone abides by the rules the would be no crises in the elections period.

The Inspector General of Police who was represented by the Kogi State Commissioner of Police CP Bethrand Onuoha explained that a lot has been happening in Kogi State.

He added that some people have been blackmailing the Police, stressing that the Police are neither political nor meant for political parties alone, but have responsibilities to secure every other spectrum of society.

The Police warned that anyone caught fomenting troubles before, during and after the election would dealt with the wrath of the law.

He therefore called on the politicians to warn their followers to desist from any act inimical to peace in Kogi State, adding that enough security personnel have been deployed to the state to maintain law and order.

Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Professor Yakubu Mahmood called on the politicians and political parties to follow the rule of law and play according to the rules.

Professor Yakabu pointed out that everyone has his/her right to protection, noting that the right to association and others provided for in the constitution must be respected.

The Chairman of Kogi State Civil Societ, KOGONET, Muriana Ozovehe started the civil will partner with INEC, seeking the cooperation of the INEC during the coming election on Saturday.