Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade
Yemi Akinsuyi
As the nation prepares for another round of gubernatorial elections in Edo and other states of the federation, Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, has dispelled all fears relating to the ability of members of the Force to provide adequate security to all parties, while maintaining its much avowed neutrality.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the office of the Presidential Adviser on Inter-Party Relations for candidates of the political parties in the election, the minister said the Nigeria Police has acquired enough training and experience needed to superintend elections in the country.
Olubolade, who was reacting to apprehensions raised on the likelihood of the police being used to manipulate the conduct of the elections, said such apprehensions were misplaced, as their conducts in the immediate past elections were generally commended by both local and international observers.
He however warned that the police will not take kindly to any attempt to use its personnel to circumvent the wishes of the people by desperate politicians in their desire to win elections at all costs.
“The police will not condone violence, thuggery or any form of electoral malpractice and will remain visible throughout the process to enforce law and order and to protect lives and property at all times”, the Minister said. Olubolade also used the occasion to appeal to political and community leaders to compliment government’s efforts at stemming violence.
the tide of the current security challenges facing the country by taking participatory interest in happenings within their constituencies, adding that all those perpetrating acts of terrorism live within their communities.
“Terrorism and all acts linked to it are alien to us and must not be allowed to become a permanent feature of our society. We must therefore become part of the concerted efforts by security agencies to nip it in the bud by providing useful information on suspicious characters living amongst us”