2023: Police Send Warning To Political Parties Concerning Ebubeagu

Ebonyi State Police Command, has said the South East Security outfit, code-named Ebubeagu, will not be involved in the upcoming 2023 general election in the state.

The police stated that the security outfit does not have any constitutional right to act in any capacity in the election.

The State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba made the pronouncement during a meeting with political parties, Heads of Security Agencies and all Stakeholders involved in the 2023 elections.

Garba warned that any perpetrators of violence would be apprehended.

The CP explained that the commissioner of police in each state would be responsible for security measures in the election supported by Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and any other security agency of the Federal Government.

He said: ”Sec. 91 of the electoral Act has expressly provided that only the Security Agencies shall have a role to play in the electioneering process as it relates to the conduct of political rallies and procession.

“The Commissioner of Police in each State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, shall provide adequate security for the proper and peaceful conduct of political rallies and processions in their respective jurisdictions and, for this purpose, the Police may be supported by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and any other security agency of the Federal Government.

“The import of the above provision of the Electoral Act 2022 expressly prohibits Non-State Actors especially Ebubeagu to participate in the electioneering process in whatsoever capacity.

“The South East Security Outfit (Ebubeagu) has no role in the electioneering campaign and they are not created for any political purposes rather they are to complement the security architecture of the State with the State Actors.

“Therefore, no LG Chairman nor political party stakeholders should engage the Ebubeagu bearing arms of whatever calibre for a whatsoever reason as Ebubeagu are not created for their political aggrandizement rather they are to strengthen the security of the State as non-state actors.”