Caution your supporters against inciting comments, Police urges Presidential Candidates

The Nigeria Police Force has warned  Candidates from all political parties, particularly the APC, PDP, LP, and NNPP, to avoid making inciting comments that could unnecessarily heat up the polity and create undue excitement among electorates and the general populace in the country.

The Force headquarters stated that this precaution was taken in light of the ongoing 2023 electoral exercise, as well as a series of intelligence reports and high expectations from all sides.

Olumuyiwa, the Force Public Relations Officer, made the announcement in Abuja on Monday morning.

It said, “The NPF, having assessed the trend of scaled-up expectations and psychological projections on the ongoing electoral process viz-a-viz collation of results, charges all presidential candidates, as leading and respected figures in their respective political parties, to seize the opportunity of this waiting period to emphasize the rule of law, respect for the Constitution, and constituted authority amongst their supporters, as we all owe a duty to ensure that the nation does not fall into anarchy on the basis of interests and sentiments.

“The Force similarly reiterates the need to desist from mounting undue pressure on the electoral process viz-a-viz the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body which is constitutionally mandated with the conduct of elections and announcement of results, as all hands are on deck to speedily conclude collation of results and declare the winner.

“While commending the general populace and electorates for their patience thus far and largely lawful conduct around the country, the Police, therefore, encourages presidential candidates to admonish their supporters to uphold the tenets of the Peace Accord recently signed for the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections.”