Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano
The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Gumel, has warned leaders of political parties and their supporters against thuggery and electoral malpractice ahead of the state House of Assembly election rerun scheduled for March.
The commissioner gave the warning during a meeting with leaders of political parties and other stakeholders held at the Police Officers’ Mess yesterday in Kano.
Briefing journalists shortly after the meeting, CP Gumel warned politicians and their supporters against any action that might cause trouble during the election, adding that the police and sister security agencies are ready to deal with anyone or group of persons who tried to cause trouble during the election.
He said: “We agreed after the meeting with INEC REC and all the heads of security agencies that the election is possible and will be peaceful.
“INEC has agreed to provide all necessary logistics including sensitive and non-sensitive materials to conduct a peaceful election.
“That is why we have gathered here today to agree among ourselves that we are going to witness a hitch-free, violent-free election.
” This is why we have invited leaders of the political parties, their candidates, and other stakeholders to discuss with you, and we ask, are you ready for us to conduct a peaceful election? If you are not ready, tell us, and if there are things you are in doubt of, please tell us, and we will make amends.
“So, I urge you to pass this message to your supporters and advise them to remain patriotic and peaceful during the exercise.”
Also, the Kano State Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, comprising all the heads of security agencies and the Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abdu Abdussamadu Zango, has already met and mapped out strategies for hitch-free and violent-free election.
