State governors will not longer be allowed to harass and stop political rallies of opposition parties, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba, ordered.
Dandaura Mustapha, deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) operations, who announced this on behalf of the police boss on Wednesday at the 2022 political parties summit in Abuja, said the force was aware of the antics of state helmsmen and will no longer tolerate the disruptions of opposition rallies.
He said Mr Baba has ordered that any Commissioner of Police who fails to comply with the directive would be penalised, including being redeployed.
“Unfortunately, some of the governors are not helping matters,” the IGP explained. “They have not laid the foundation to give other political parties access to their campaign avenues.
“Some try to manipulate the campaigns. Some even sponsor thugs to pursue the opposition, remove their billboards, remove their posters and destroy their offices. We are aware and we have full reports.
“Based on this, the IG has categorically directed all commissioners of police that on no account should any serving or sitting governor stop other political parties from conducting their campaigns in their nooks and crannies of their states.
“This instruction was very clear both in writing and verbally.
“The commissioners of police have been directed to arrest all the hoodlums no matter where they belong to, whoever is sponsoring them, we will arrest them, charge them to court, that is a clear instruction.”
