Sokoto state police command Tuesday cautioned members of political parties and the public against making hate speeches, and any act capable of inciting violence.
“Members of Political Parties should avoid making hate speeches, songs and or inciting statements either during campaigns, rallies or in electronic media. This can lead to mixed feelings and negative reactions thereby likely to cause breach of the public peace,“Commissioner of Police, Murtala Usman Mani stated at a stakeholders meeting in Sokoto.
He urged political parties to adopt a decisive way of making use of their supporters and ensure they do not engage in any violent activities. ‘’Brandishing and carrying of a dangerous weapon is strictly not allowed and can easily provoke members of the other parties to also behave in the same way.”
He added:”Destruction of aspirant posters is not allowed and should not in any way be encouraged.”
Mani advised all the political stakeholders within the state to play the game with decency, understanding and in accordance with the provision of the laws of the land as well as the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Politics is all about interest and personal opinion,” he pointed out.
He said the meeting was organized towards a peaceful political atmosphere preparatory to 2019 General Elections.
Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC Sokoto Sadiq Abubakar Musa urged political parties to conduct primaries according to their parties’ constitution and INEC guideline and rules.
