Ahead of Saturday’s governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, ordered the closure of all land borders to allow for peaceful conduct of the polls.
Jonathan also asked the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to ensure that non-Nigerians did not participate in any part of the process.
A statement signed, yesterday, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr Abubakar Magaji and entitled: “Closure of Nigeria’s borders” read: “The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has approved the closure of all Nigeria’s land borders from midnight of Wednesday, April 8, 2015 to noon of Sunday, April 12, 2015 to allow for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming gubernatorial/state Houses of Assembly elections.AjegunleAccredit
“The Nigeria Immigration Service has also been directed to ensure that non-Nigerians do not participate in any part of the election process.”
IG warns trouble makers
Meanwhile, following intelligence reports that some politicians have recruited thugs with a bid to disrupt Saturday’s elections, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has re-affirmed the commitment of the Police to ensure that the elections are hitch-free.
Consequently, he has warned all trouble makers that may attempt to foment trouble before, during and after the elections to desist from such or face unpleasant consequences.
According to a statement from the Force Headquarters, “stern measures have also been mapped out to stop trouble makers in their tracks, as acts of impunity will not be tolerated.
“The Police High Command has further identified flash points in some geopolitical zones and has devised strategies to address all issues of safety and security as concerns the election.
“Furthermore, the IGP states that the Force will continue to encourage a level playing ground to all. He advised Nigerians to vote and maintain tranquility for the smooth running of the elections.
“He equally advised party leaders to implore their supporters to shun any act of violence/thuggery, as the full weight of the law will rest on trouble makers.”
Also, the IGP “has tasked officers and men of the Police Force to exercise a high sense of professionalism in their conduct on election duties as laid down in the Police Regulations and the Standard Operational Guidelines.
“The officers and men are equally directed to adopt an attitude of complete neutrality, and impartiality in carrying out their duties in connection with the election.”
Jonathan also asked the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to ensure that non-Nigerians did not participate in any part of the process.
A statement signed, yesterday, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mr Abubakar Magaji and entitled: “Closure of Nigeria’s borders” read: “The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has approved the closure of all Nigeria’s land borders from midnight of Wednesday, April 8, 2015 to noon of Sunday, April 12, 2015 to allow for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming gubernatorial/state Houses of Assembly elections.AjegunleAccredit
“The Nigeria Immigration Service has also been directed to ensure that non-Nigerians do not participate in any part of the election process.”
IG warns trouble makers
Meanwhile, following intelligence reports that some politicians have recruited thugs with a bid to disrupt Saturday’s elections, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, has re-affirmed the commitment of the Police to ensure that the elections are hitch-free.
Consequently, he has warned all trouble makers that may attempt to foment trouble before, during and after the elections to desist from such or face unpleasant consequences.
According to a statement from the Force Headquarters, “stern measures have also been mapped out to stop trouble makers in their tracks, as acts of impunity will not be tolerated.
“The Police High Command has further identified flash points in some geopolitical zones and has devised strategies to address all issues of safety and security as concerns the election.
“Furthermore, the IGP states that the Force will continue to encourage a level playing ground to all. He advised Nigerians to vote and maintain tranquility for the smooth running of the elections.
“He equally advised party leaders to implore their supporters to shun any act of violence/thuggery, as the full weight of the law will rest on trouble makers.”
Also, the IGP “has tasked officers and men of the Police Force to exercise a high sense of professionalism in their conduct on election duties as laid down in the Police Regulations and the Standard Operational Guidelines.
“The officers and men are equally directed to adopt an attitude of complete neutrality, and impartiality in carrying out their duties in connection with the election.”
While directing that “all officers involved in election duties must be firm, fair and approachable to all parties,” the IGP enjoined them “to take charge of security at polling units and collation centres as the Police Force is the leading law enforcement agency.”
The Federal Government has directed that all land borders be closed
from midnight of Thursday to midnight of Sunday for the success of the
governorship election, Vanguard announced.
