Juliana Francis
Determined to have a violence-free forthcoming 2023 General Elections, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Sylvester Alabi, once again had an intense interactive meeting with political parties in the state, warning them against election violence, and vote buying, among other anomalies.
Today the stakeholders meeting was held on 17th of January 2023 at the POWA Multipurpose Hall, Ikeja.
According to Alabi, the meeting was part of the collective preparation for the upcoming elections.
He said: “The people’s confidence in the value of their vote is principally reliant on the security and resilience of the infrastructure that makes the Nation’s elections possible. Free and fair elections are the hallmark of democracy and we as critical stakeholders in the provision of security during the elections have the responsibility to ensure that it is conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner devoid of rancour, malevolence, brigandage and thuggery.”
Alabi explained that to achieve a peaceful and fair election, “we urge the leadership of all political parties to re-dedicate themselves towards undertaking their campaigns and electoral activities within the dictates of the Electoral Act 2022. In the same vein, during this electoral process, the Police request the political actors gathered here to pledge to denounce electoral violence, hate speech and other negative tendencies before, during and after the votes.
“Political violence, hate speech, threat, political intolerance, misinformation and political extremism are potent threats to our democracy and national security. I, therefore, challenge the leadership of political parties and candidates who are critical gatekeepers of our democracy to demonstrate purposeful and patriotic leadership that will guarantee a peaceful electoral process and to develop a culture of political tolerance and display of political maturity by allowing healthy competition among themselves.”
The police chief admonishes politicians, political actors and political parties to adhere to all electoral procedures and laws, and avoid the use of non-state actors and non-state security outfits. “You should also shun all sorts of violence, vote buying and other electoral offenses capable of marring the peaceful outcome of this election. This is because any person or group of persons found conducting themselves in an unlawful manner will be dealt with accordingly and the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on such persons. As we proceed with these deliberations, I urge all stakeholders here present to contribute honestly and openly as this would help us identify and iron out grey areas in our election security preparations; and at the end of the day ensure a level playing ground for all political actors within Lagos State.”
