Yusuf Oketola
THE Police in the State of Osun have warned all political parties in the state to call their gladiators to order and refrain from any act capable of disrupting the peace of the state.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Mr Wale Olokode, the police will no tolerate any act of violence or misconduct that will result to breakdown of law and order in the state.
Olokode gave the warning yesterday at a peace meeting with all political parties in the state held at the police headquarters in Osogbo.
The Commissioner of Police, who was represented by his deputy, Val Kanayo, urged the parties to formally inform the command before embarking on procession, assemblies, campaign or rallies in order to make necessary security arrangement that would prevent any breakdown of law and order.
Olokode assured the parties of a level playing ground before, during and after their primary elections.
He said: “We are all aware that the governorship election in Osun will take place in July this year and political parties have begun necessary and required preparations for the process.
“It is very important to state that political activities, party primaries, consultation visits, campaigns and other are legal so far they are within the confines of the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I therefore wish to enjoin all political parties and groups to play the game by the rules and allow themselves and their activities be guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act.”
“The idea of unnecessary blocking of roads during campaigns, rallies and processions without due process, attacking innocent citizens unjustly, and assaulting security men on duty will not be tolerated. Anyone, irrespective of his status, who breaches public peace, would be punished according to the law.
“I want to urge the youth not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs or as destructive agents. I equally advise the so-called political thugs to, in their interest, vacate the state immediately as the command will not condone any act of indiscipline or allow anybody to truncate the peaceful atmosphere in the state.”
