Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru, Commissioner of Police in Kebbi, has warned sponsors of thuggery in Kebbi state and their foot soldiers against such action before, during and after 2019 general elections.
Kabiru gave the warning during the meeting of stakeholders of all political parties in the state in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
“Political thuggery is not allowed, contestants must discourage their followers from all forms of thuggery.
“Any form of thuggery, the sponsors and foot soldiers will be dealt with decisively,” he warned.
He also warned the contestants and political parties against carrying out political activities in the same venues, date and time, to avoid clashes.
“We want to encourage the contestants to imbibe the culture of politics without bitterness.
“Candidates must stop their followers from tearing and defacing of posters, banners and billboards of their opponents,” he said.
The commissioner, however, urged members of the public to assist and cooperate with the police and other security agencies toward safe, credible and successful elections.
Also speaking, the state Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Bala Kangiwa, said the ruling party would not allow political thuggery and would support the police in apprehending and dealing with the defaulters.
“We are family; we are known for peace and unity, we will not allow that peace and unity to be ruined for political gains and interest,” he said.
Kangiwa assured that APC would work closely with other political parties to avert any possible breach of peace and unity before, during and after the general elections.
Earlier, the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Haruna Saidu, assured that the party would not allow the state to be detracted from its known peace.
Saidu, represented by Birnin Kebbi branch Chairman of the party, Alhaji Tukur Umar who described Kebbi state “as the most peaceful state in the country“, stressed the need to protect such status.
“Our political family must remain the same family come what may, in spite of our political differences,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Africa Democratic Party (ADC) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) attended the meeting.
Other political parties in attendance were: All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) Better Nigeria Progressive Party, and Democratic Alternative (DA).
The Democratic Peoples Party (DPC), Grand Democratic Party of Nigeria (GDPN) and Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), KOWA Party, Labour Party (LP), Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA) and Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN) also attended. (NAN)