Osun PDP Primary: Police, NSCDC Send Warnings To Politicians, Electorates

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State will hold its gubernatorial primary election today, Tuesday, March 8.

Security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps have in this regard, sent warnings to electorates and aspirants involved in the process, Naija News reports.

Having assured the party of its commitment to ensuring peaceful exercise, the State Police Command has warned politicians in the PDP to conduct themselves during and after the exercise, in line with the Electoral Act, 2022.

In a statement made available to newsmen earlier today by Yemisi Opalola, the command’s Public Relations Officer in Osogbo, Commissioner of Police disclosed that the police with other security agencies in the State will provide a level playing ground for all aspirants and all the eligible electorates/delegates to exercise their franchise.

While hinting that the Command had taken necessary security measures to forestall any likely breakdown of law and order, Olokode disclosed that security agencies will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone or group of persons who may attempt to foment trouble or disrupt the smooth conduct of the election.

He said, “As the PDP governorship primary election scheduled for today, Tuesday 8th March 2022, gathers momentum, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Police Command, CP Olawale Olokode, wish to assure the general public, especially the good people of Osun State, of adequate security before, during and beyond the PDP governorship primary election and urged politicians to play the game as stipulated in line with the Electoral Act, 2010.

“The Police and other security agencies in the State will provide a level playing ground for all aspirants and all the eligible electorates/delegates to exercise their franchise, while we will not hesitate to deal decisively and within the ambit of law, with anyone, group of persons who might attempt to foment trouble or disrupt the smooth conduct of the election.”

Olokode extended his message to parents and guardians, urging them to warn their children and wards to stay out of trouble during the period of elections and beyond.

According to him, the command will not tolerate any kind of thuggery, gangsterism and hooliganism.

“They should not allow themselves to be used by any vicious politician to cause a crisis in the State as the command will not tolerate any kind of thuggery, gangsterism and hooliganism,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has also noted that a robust security arrangement is in place to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the State ahead of the PDP gubernatorial congress.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Atanda Olabisi quoted the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Emmanuel Ocheja as saying in a directive that all officers on special duty at the venue of the congress will discharge their duties impartially.

Commandant Ocheja stressed the need for officers to be dedicated to their work as the country is dealing with prevailing security challenges.