By Wale Ishola
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, has said that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is ready to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to succeed in the 2023 general election.
The IGP stated this during the strategic police managers conference at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday, September 22, 2022.
The police chief said that the conference provides a unique opportunity to dissect current law enforcement realities and engage an all-inclusive approach to re-evaluate policing strategies against the backdrop of the dynamics of crime in the country, with the overall goal of re-energising the Force in sustaining a stable internal security order.
He said: “Beyond these broad agendas, the main purpose of this conference is to review the evolving political programmes as laid out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and chart clear pathways to ensuring a smooth electoral process in the countdown to the 2023 general elections.
“As you are aware, in compliance with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC has confirmed that electioneering campaigns by all political parties will officially commence on 28th September, 2022.
“The import of this is that the national political space will soon become active and the possibility of increase in politically related offences may become heightened across the country.
“As the lead security agency in the election security process, the political campaigns security governance is, primarily, the statutory obligation of the Nigeria Police Force.
“As critical actors in the electoral process, the outcome of the credibility of the 2023 general election will be measured by the extent to which we abide by these professional and legal standards, as well as the nature of our decisions and actions as we interface with political parties in emplacing appropriate machineries to guarantee a peaceful electioneering campaign process.
“We must leave no citizen in doubt of our commitment to national peace and security, as well as our unwavering determination to advance the democratic and national security interests of our beloved nation.
“The 2023 general election and the processes leading to it will certainly put us to test in this regard.
“Drawing on our widely commended performances in recent elections, however, I am very confident, and I trust, that you shall not fail both the police institution and the country in the upcoming electoral engagements.”
While speaking on the role of the media in the electoral process, the police boss charged practitioners “to place national security interests above other sentiments and avoid projecting news items that could engender tension and violence within the political space as the political campaigns commences.”
