The Ekiti State Police Command on Monday announced a ban on street procession ahead the general elections.
The police said the action was taken to forestall breakdown of law and order and unwarranted loss of innocent lives as witnessed during the June 21 governorship election.
In a statement in Ado Ekiti by its Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, the Command said the step was taken in view of the peculiarity of the state, particularly in terms of perceived high level of political intolerance among the political class.
Adeyemi said: “Intelligence at the disposal of the command indicates that some political parties intend to stage street processions in large numbers as part of their campaign strategies.
“Considering the peculiarity of the political situation in Ekiti State, coupled with the level of political intolerance, such street processions if allowed to happen will inevitably cause conflict, chaos and breakdown of law and order with possible disastrous consequences.
“In order to forestall breakdown of law and order, the command once again appeals to all political stakeholders to obtain permit for any campaign, which must be restricted to a particular location in order for the police to ensure adequate protection at such avenues.”
The Command’s order must have been a veiled reaction to the allegation of the All Progressives Congress against Governor Ayodele Fayose that he has been manipulating the police top hierarchy to stall the party’s rallies in the state.
It would be recalled that the APC had to suspend its procession tagged: “Walk For Buhari/Osinbajo,” which was supposed to take place in Ado Ekiti last week, owing to alleged security advice from the Command.