Plateau CP read riot act as 2023 campaigns begin

.Orders political parties to forward events timetable

From Daniel Dauda, Jos

As the 28th September, 2022 deadline for the official lifted on ban for 2023 electioneering campaigns by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the commissioner of Police Plateau State Command,CP Bartholomew Onyeka has warned political parties to play the game according to the INEC section 94(1)electoral guidelines.

CP Onyeka said any political party cut acting contrary to the provision of law before, during or after elections will be dealt with decisively.

He also challenged all the participating political parties in the 2023 elections in Plateau to forwarded timetable of their campaign artenary.

The Plateau CP gave the matching order on Wednesday when he interface with political parties officials, candidates, INEC, religious leaders traditional rulers, security agencies, National orientation agency, NOA, media and other critical stakeholders, held at Police officers Mess, Jos.

In his words:”This meeting also provides a unique opportunity to dissect current law enforcement realities and engage an all-inclusive approach to re-evaluate our security policing strategies against the backdrop of the dynamics of crime on the Plateau.

“In this regard, I must remind you that the provision of the requisite professional leadership to achieve our election security mandate rest squarely on the shoulders of all of us that are here seated.

“Therefore, I wish to firmly advise all Political Actors to subsume their campaigns within the extant legal frameworks, avoid actions or speeches that could inflame the political order and above all, cooperate with the Police/other security agencies in our drive to guarantee a peaceful electioneering process”, the CP stated.

Barr. Mrs Caroline Okpe, INEC head of admin Plateau State assured the commission’s readiness towards conducting free and fair polls in 2023 across 207 registration areas center (RAC) and 4,989 polling units of the state.

She raised concerned that there are Permanent voters card, PVC, which is still pending with the commission, calling on those who are yet to obtained their own to do so as it is available in all the 17 LGA of Plateau.

According to her, ” since 2019 to date and the recently concluded continue voters registration (CVR), only about 11% of PVC were collected. We are going to used BVAS and INEC result viewer (IRV) as it has been done in previous elections in Anambra, Ekiti, Ogun and Plateau State bye-elections”.

” Candidates of political parties should embrace issues-based campaign devoid of thuggery and vulgar language during. We equally appeal to security agents increase surveillance most especially in Kanam, Wase, Mangu and Bassa LGAs of Plateau.”