The Nigeria Police Force has sent a serious warning to all politicians in the race for the Presidency of Nigeria to eschew violence and caution their supporters against sending threats to voices of dissent and people not supporting them in the run-up to the poll.
According to the police, any threat to life is a criminal offence, while also adding that the Electoral Act as amended is also clear on the appropriate punishment prescribed for election-related crimes.
The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi made this known in an interview with reporters against the backdrop of online bullying and violent social media exchanges between the supporters of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi.
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that a report had alleged that the Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo advised Tinubu to seek medical care and give the LP presidential candidate the chance to rule, however, the Ghana High Commissioner in Nigeria, Abdulrashid Bawa, had since denied the report in a statement.
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The High Commissioner described the report as false and misleading, adding that the Ghanaian leader did not write such a letter to the APC leader.
Also, a viral video of the Pyrates Confraternity in which the members were mocking a leading presidential candidate in a song also attracted anger and condemnations across the country.
Similarly, there has been increased cyber bullying on social media and attacks by over-zealous presidential candidates’ supporters sparking anxiety that this might culminate in electoral violence during the campaigns which would kick off in September.
But stressing that the police would not take lightly the violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, Adejobi advised anyone who felt threatened to report to the police for necessary action.
He stated, ‘Threats to life is a criminal offence, and everyone has the right to take up cases against anyone who threatens their life or engages in an act capable of making their life precarious, or causing a problem in the country. Hence, whosoever feels threatened is at liberty to approach the police formally, for necessary action.
‘The Electoral Act is clear on electoral offences and appropriate punishments. Also, our criminal laws can be applied in handling election-related crises. We have our laws and we are duty-bound to enforce them at all times.
‘While we urge all political actors to be law-abiding and desist from violating the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, we will always engage relevant stakeholders, especially politicians, in deliberations, from time to time, on how to have a seamless exercise in 2023.’
