Ondo Guber: IGP Cautions Politicians Against Violence, Charges Security Operatives To Be Above Board

With three days to the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election, slated to hold on Saturday, 10th October 2020, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has for the umpteenth time, warned politicians against actions and utterances that could be inimical to a free, fair and credible election.

The IGP specifically warned that the full weight of the law will be meted out to anyone, no matter their status in society, who engages in any electoral fraud such as political violence, vote buying, ballot box snatching, hate speeches and all other unwholesome practices capable of undermining the peace and stability of the electoral process.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued by Frank Mba, the Force Spokesperson, on Wednesday.

“Similarly, the IGP has charged all Police Officers and other law enforcement agents deployed for the election to act in accordance with the Electoral Act and other extant laws guiding their overall conduct before, during and after the elections,” the statement further reads.

“He warns that Police Officers and officers of other law enforcement agencies found acting contrary to their oaths of office or in aid of illicit electoral practices will be strictly and personally held liable with dire legal consequences.

Adamu, according to the statement, reassured the people of Ondo that adequate security measures have been emplaced to ensure their safety throughout the period of the gubernatorial election and beyond.

“He reiterates that there have been adequate deployments in terms of manpower, marine and aerial surveillance and other assets of the force to ensure effective security coverage,” he added.

He therefore enjoined all eligible voters to come out en mass to “freely and peacefully exercise their franchise in line with their civic obligation, without any fear of intimidation on the day of the election”.