Abia State Police Command has warned political parties in Abia to go about their campaign according to rules of engagement or face the wrath of the law.
The Abia State Commissioner of Police, now Assistant Inspector-General, AIG Jane Agbede, handed down this advice Tuesday in Umuahia when she met with the representatives of political parties in Abia.
She warned that the prevailing peace in the state must be maintained, stating that, “The campaign period will come and go. You must remain brothers and have no other place to go.”
The police, she said, were in the state to serve the people and warned, “don’t use campaign periods to recruit thugs. Tomorrow, they will turn and face you.
“You must adhere to the rules of engagement. Anyone who goes against the law, the law will take its toll on him.”
The command, AIG Agbede said, was set to ensure a free and fair election and would create a level playing ground for all candidates to play their games, adding that her command was “unbiased” and would collaborate with other stakeholders up to election period.
She further warned security outfits other than the regular ones that followed politicians not to carry arms, as the police would not tolerate that.
In their contributions, the command’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Emmanuel Berete, and Officer in Charge (Legal), Omo Osagie, reviewed the extant laws and practice guiding political campaigns, advising politicians and political parties to desist from wanton destruction of others’ bill boards and posters, which the police would not condone.
They warned that political disorder was a serious offence and carried heavy penalties.
In their comments, the chairman, Inter- Party Advisory Council, Abia State, C. K. Igara, and other party stakeholders urged the command to congregate all aspirants and talk to them.
They also pleaded with the police to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission to release a comprehensive list of voting units in the state to guide parties during the election next year.
