THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has warned political parties not to cause violence during the presidential inauguration on May 29.
He stated that the inauguration day is sacred, vowing to preserve democracy alongside other security operatives.
Speaking to media at Force Headquarters in Abuja today, the police chief said that some notable political actors, who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the 2023 General Elections, have been issuing public threats to disrupt the inauguration ceremony.
“The Nigeria Police and the national intelligence community have been closely monitoring the activities of these political elites, as well as other unpatriotic elements who have formed themselves into brands that seek to subvert our national security interests,” he said.
Alkali Baba went on to say that these people are hell-bent on using extra-judicial and undemocratic ways to sever Nigeria’s democratic heritage in pursuit of their narrow political interests.
He emphasized that the beauty of democracy lay not only in people’ rights to exercise their franchise within the electoral cycle, but also in the right of disgruntled political actors to bring grievances about the electoral outcome to the judicial process for review.
The police boss said, “The beauty of democracy lies not just in the freedom of the citizens to freely exercise their franchise within the electoral cycle. It is also hinged on the right of aggrieved political actors to submit grievances on the electoral outcome to the judicial process for consideration,” the police chief said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the imperative of peace in our national life cannot be over-emphasized. Sustenance of peace and security is even more expedient at this stage in our national democratic transition.
“Consequently, while the Nigeria Police, in synergy with other security agencies and the intelligence community, continues to closely monitor the activities of these political elements, it has become expedient to make some clear statements.
“Firstly, the Nigeria Police hereby sternly warns all political actors with subversive agenda and their collaborators, particularly, their foot soldiers who they are exposing to political radicalization and extremism to, henceforth, jettison their on-going premeditated attempts to create tension within the national space with intention of derailing the 29th May 2023 Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
“Secondly, any such persons, regardless of their political affiliations who continuously engages in acts that are inimical to our nation’s democratic and security interests should not be in doubt on the firm determination of the Nigeria Police under my watch to closely collaborate with the law enforcement family and the intelligence community to defend our democracy, keep the internal security order stable and optimally deploy our common unique assets towards guaranteeing the successful conduct of the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.”
