As the Ondo State governorship poll draws near, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has alerted security operatives, including policemen on election duty to be professional.
This was made known in a statement on Wednesday titled, ‘Ondo poll: IGP cautions politicians against violence,’ by force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba.
The IGP warned politicians against actions and utterances that could be hostile to a free, fair and credible election.
Adamu directly warned that the full weight of the law would be meted out to anyone who engaged in any electoral fraud, including violence, vote-buying, ballot box snatching, hate speeches and other unwholesome practices capable of undermining the peace and stability of the electoral process.
Adamu also enjoined all eligible voters to come out en mass to freely and peacefully exercise their franchise in line with their civic obligation, “without any fear of intimidation on the day of the election.”
“The IGP has charged all police officers and other law enforcement agents deployed for the election to act in accordance with the Electoral Act and other extant laws guiding their overall conduct before, during and after the elections.
“He warns that police officers and officers of other law enforcement agencies found acting contrary to their oaths of office or in aid of illicit electoral practices will be strictly and personally held liable with dire legal consequences.” The statement read.
Adamu assured the people of Ondo State of adequate security measures during the election exercise.
He reiterated that adequate deployments in terms of manpower, marine and aerial surveillance and other assets of the force had been made to ensure effective security coverage.
The long awaited Ondo State gubernatorial election is slated to hold on Saturday, October 10.
