The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Usman Baba, says police investigation has shown that some governors were sponsoring thugs to disrupt political activities and rallies of oppositions in their States.
The IGP stated this in Abuja yesterday, while addressing all political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other electoral stakeholders.
The IGP, who did not mention any governor in his speech, stated that so far, about 52 cases of political violence have been recorded since the commencement of campaigns for the 2023 elections.
While warning that the Police will not hesitate to address this emerging problem, he warned politicians to desist from this deadly act as this is capable of causing problems for the upcoming elections.
According to the IGP, “Following a noticeable trend within the national political space which, if not promptly addressed could evolve into a potent threat to not just our national security but the electoral process”.
“Drawing from the experiences of the past, electoral violence both in the process leading to an election as well as the fall out of elections, has always constituted the most dangerous threat to our democracy”, he stated.
