2023..Ebonyi CP reads riot act to non-state actors, insists Electoral Act  prohibits Ebubeagu from participating in electioneering process

 

 

By CLEMENT NNACHI [ABAKALIKI

 

The Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State Garba Aliyu, has reiterated that the provisions of the Electoral Act,  prohibits non-state Actors especially Ebubeagu, to participate in electioneering in any capacity.

 

Mr Garba made the assertion on Tuesday during a meeting with Political Party Stakeholders, Local Government Chairmen, Director General of Campaign Council’s of various political parties held at Police Officers Mess Abakaliki.

 

He said that the Provision of the Electoral Act 2022, Section 91, expressly provided that only the Security Agencies shall have a role to play in electioneering process as it relates to conduct of political rallies and procession.

 

‘Therefore, no Local Government Chairman nor Political Party Stakeholders,  should engage the Ebubeagu bearing arms of whatever caliber for whatsoever reason, as Ebubeagu are not created for their political aggrandizement rather they are to strengthen security of the State as non-state actors’

 

CP Garba warned that anyone who goes contrary to the provision of the extant laws shall be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

 

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

 

‘ The South -East Security Outfit (Ebubeagu),  has no role in electioneering campaign and they are not created for any political purposes’

 

According to him, ‘the meeting was convened in line with Section 91 subsection 5 and 6 of the Electoral Act 2022 as Amended, to brainstorm on election security matters in the context.

 

‘The Commissioner of Police in each State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, shall provide adequate security for proper and peaceful conduct of political rallies and processions in their respective jurisdictions’

 

‘All these strategies become indelible form proper synergy with critical stakeholder and the Government in order to achieve conducive election process’

 

Speaking against the backdrop of campaigns by political parties, Commissioner Garba, emphasized that all political parties have right to campaign across the State.

 

‘Generally speaking, all political parties have right to campaign and conduct their rallies in accordance to the stipulations of the Law devoid of breakdown of Law and Orders in the State’

 

‘I urge you all as critical stakeholders in the General Election, to mobilize and campaign to the electorate, in an orderly manner so as to avoid infringement on fundamental rights of the residence’

 

CP Garba however enjoined Political Parties to engage in a political rally within a designated venue.

 

‘If a political party elect to hold a political rally in a specific venue which is Government/Public facility, the political party must apply to the Council  Chairman of the jurisdiction for permission to make use of such venue’

 

‘In the event the chairman refused or declined his permission, such party can notify the Commissioner of Police for onward communication of same to the Governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the State for his approval’

 

In attendance at the meeting included Heads of security agencies in Ebonyi State, Director /General of Party Campaign Council. Chairmen of Political Parties, and media practitioners among others