…Police boss warns against thuggery, arms
The Bayelsa State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were conspicuously absent Monday in a meeting between political parties in the state and the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan.
The stakeholders’ meeting, which was held at the police officers’ mess, Yenagoa following the commencement of campaigns for 2019 general elections, had in attendance chairmen of other smaller parties.
Mukan invited heads of all political parties in Bayelsa under the auspices of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to brainstorm on modalities and challenges to peaceful campaigns and free and fair elections in the state.
But the state chairmen of PDP and the APC, Moses Cleopas and Jothan Amos, were missing in the attendance without persons to represent them.
In their various contributions, some of the chairmen including the state Leader of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), Edwin Tare, lamented the absence of the two major parties.
Tare said it was unfortunate that leaders of the two parties were habitually absent in stakeholders’ meeting involving political parties during an election period.
He said the deliberation would not achieve its purpose without the participation of the two major parties since according to him issues of violence and bearing arms primarily involved them.
But Mukan said the absence of the two major political parties had nothing to do with the progress of the meeting adding that the outcome of the deliberation applied to all the parties in the state.
He said all the parties were invited to the meeting but wondered why the PDP and the APC leaders neither attended the gathering nor sent representatives.
He noted that any party that acted contrary to the electoral guidelines or breached security would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He said: “We cannot hold a separate discussion with them. Everybody was invited but they didn’t send any representation that is why they are not here. Anybody who falls prey or err will be totally dealt with”.
Reading the Riot Act, Mukan warned parties against bringing arms to their campaign grounds under any guise.
Describing the police as an unbiased umpire, he said the force would ensure a level-playing field and security to all the parties.
The police boss appealed to party leaders to mount pressure on parents to rein in their children, who would want to act as thugs to politicians during campaigns.
Addressing them, he said: “You are the major players and we have to talk to ourselves and see how far we can go. You are all aware that the campaign has started. We have rules guiding every competition most especially our elections. The electoral laws are very clear. The INEC guidelines are there to guide us. Security agents are here to ensure a level-playing ground.
“So, there is a need for us to come together and see how we will have a successful election in 2019. We are assuring you of security for every participant. Our own is to ensure that there is security for you. Feel free and exercise your franchise. A lot of activities are involved in campaigns.
“What you have to do is to inform us within 72 hours when you are going for your campaigns or avail us with the timetable if your itinerary to make it easier for us. This is to stop thugs from hijacking your rallies. We are unbiased umpire.
“Help us appeal to the parents and guidance of the boys who usually hijack the campaigns. They should counsel their children because the law will not spare anybody. The law will be harsh on anybody who breaches electoral process. We will enforce it.
“During your campaign, we don’t want to see anybody carrying any arms to any rallies. On no account should you bring arms because if that is done you know the repercussion. So, warn your members and take this message back to them”.