JUDGMENT DAY: Nigerian Police Force talks tough, as Loui’s Edet House warns politicians against violence
By KEMI KASUMU
The Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, has taken steps to forestall any situation of crisis as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal delivers its final judgments in the cases challenging February 25 election victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of the country.
The foremost security agency says all his state commands and formations across the country are “fully prepared” to maintain law and order before, during and after the judgments delivery.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who is the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday and copy of which was obtained by The DEFENDER, and through which the police warned politicians and mischief makers against misinformation and unguarded utterances capable of inciting violence as a result of the judicial process.
The police said deployment across the length and breadth of Nigeria have been strengthened to forestall law and order in the country.
“The Police wish to reiterate the commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property before, during, and after the judgment,” Adejobi said.
“The NPF has diligently emplaced all necessary deployments and security measures during this critical period as officers and men are fully prepared to maintain order and enforce laws while respecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens.”
The police “strongly cautions all individuals, including mischief makers and political gladiators, to be cautious in their actions and statements as the Force will not condone activities capable of inciting violence or causing a descent into anarchy”.
The police urged citizens to embrace peace and maintain calm, regardless of their political affiliations.
Earlier on Monday, the Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Umar Bangari, said the Tribunal will deliver its judgments on the cases before it challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu, the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25, 2023 poll.
The court also said the proceedings will be open to live broadcast by interested television stations.
Tinubu’s election is being challenged by Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Atiku, a former Vice President, came second in the keenly contested poll; while Obi, an ex-governor of Anambra State, came third.
