By Unukere Mike
The inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu yesterday warned political actors in the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States to stay off any undemocratic and illegal means to achieve their aspirations or be prepared to face the consequences.
IGP Adamu gave the warning on Thursday at his meeting with senior police officers across in the nation in Abuja saying they will be identified, isolated and made to face the wrath of the law.
“While assuring law abiding citizens and stakeholders of their safety during the elections, let me warn all political actors who may want to adopt illegal means to achieve their aim, that the police will not give them a breathing space.
“Therefore, parents and guardians are strongly advised to caution their children and wards not to allow themselves to be used to undermine the democratic process in the two States.
“Politics is a game and it should be driven by service-orientation, patriotism, and overriding national security interest rather than unrestrained narrow and desperate individual considerations. All political actors and stakeholders are, accordingly, admonished to play the political game in accordance with the law and democratic norms,” he said.
He said the police will put its professionalism and doggedness to test, adding, “ Let me seize this opportunity to assure all citizens and stakeholders, including the international community of our determination to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in creating conducive and enabling environment that will guarantee the peaceful conduct of the elections.”
Speaking on other developments, Adamu noted that as year is gradually running down and as the lead internal security agency, officers and men of the Force should stay in line with their critical role in projecting and strengthening the security architecture in their Commands towards ensuring that anticipated security threats are prevented in the most professional manner.
