The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal will today (Friday) pass a verdict on the Bauchi State gubernatorial election.
Recall the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner.
Sadiq Abubakar, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), contested the result and filed a petition at the state tribunal.
Following the tribunal’s ruling, Abubakar filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal, challenging the lower court’s decision.
The Police Command in Bauchi state has issued a warning to political party supporters, urging them not to celebrate the Appellate Court’s judgment.
In a statement released to journalists on Thursday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Waki, stated that area commanders, tactical commanders, and DPOs have been charged to strengthen confidence-building patrol.
The statement further warned against blocking roads and indulging in illicit acts, stating that anyone who violated the rules would be punished under the law.
The Nigeria Police Force, Bauchi State Command, emphasized that all forms of celebrations and rallies by political party supporters, for or against the winners/losers of the Gubernatorial Election Petition judgment, must not infringe on the rights of others.
The statement added that “the blissful supporters must comport themselves in line with the provisions of the law, as blockage of roads, fireworks, inciting utterances, or blackmailing the opposition party would not be condoned”.
The Command warned that it would not hesitate to decisively deal with any person or group who violated the order or deliberately caused the breakdown of law and order.
The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi state command, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, urges the people to cooperate with the security agencies and to have of good attitude because many Police officers will be assigned to different areas in the state.
He also pleaded with the public to work with the security agencies by providing useful information that would help them save the lives and properties of the state.
Additionally, the Police Public Relations Officer stated that the commissioner of Police urged the officers to do their work diligently and professionally.