Avoid inciting statements capable of drifting the nation into anarchy – NPF

Sues for Calm, Patience as INEC Intensifies Effort on Speedy Collation

The Nigeria Police Force as part of its statutory responsibilities has again called for peace in the length and breadth of the nation asking politicians not to violate the Peace Accord. This renewed call was contained in a statement issued by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer on Monday. According to Adejobi, the Force was monitoring activities closely and warned against incitements that could lead to anarchy.

“In furtherance of the close monitoring of the ongoing 2023 electoral exercise, and consequent upon a series of intelligence reports, and high expectations from all angles, the Nigeria Police Force has deemed it necessary to charge Presidential Candidates of all political parties, most especially APC, PDP, LP and NNPP, to caution their party stalwarts and supporters to avoid making inciting comments capable of unnecessarily heating up the polity and creating undue excitement amongst the electorates and the general populace in the country.”

ValidViewNetwork reports that the statement by the Force Public Relations Officer may not be unconnected to the series of misinformation, accusations and counter accusations in the social media space which are capable of instigating post election violence.

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Speaking further, Adejobi stated : “The NPF, having assessed the trend of scaled-up expectations and psychological projections on the ongoing electoral process viz-a-viz collation of results, charges all presidential candidates, as leading and respected figures in their respective political parties, to seize the opportunity of this waiting period to emphasize the rule of law, respect for the Constitution, and constituted authority amongst their supporters, as we all owe a duty to ensure that the nation does not fall into anarchy on the basis of interests and sentiments.”

“The Force similarly reiterates the need to desist from mounting undue pressure on the electoral process viz-a-viz the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body which is constitutionally mandated with the conduct of elections and announcement of results, as all hands are on deck to speedily conclude collation of results and declare the winner.”

“While commending the general populace and electorates for their patience thus far and largely lawful conduct around the country, the Police, therefore, encourages presidential candidates to admonish their supporters to uphold the tenets of the Peace Accord recently signed for the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections.”