An Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ballah Magaji Nasarawa, has advised those who are not satisfied with the outcome of last Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State to seek redress in the election petition tribunal rather than resorting to violence.
The AIG, who was the leader of other police topshots that monitored the June 21 poll, warned those who might be planning to foment trouble to have a rethink or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
Nasarawa warned that security operatives would not tolerate anybody who takes the law into his hands, adding: “We are still very much around and ready to deal with anybody that may want to disrupt the existing peace in the state.”
Nasarawa gave the warning while addressing journalists at the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti on the outcome of the election.
The AIG, who was flanked by other heads of security operatives for the election, including the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba, commended the peaceful conduct of all stakeholders during the poll, saying the police did not record any major incidence during the exercise.
The police boss, who is in charge of the Zone 9 Command, with headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State, however, apologised to the Nigerian Union of Journalists on some of their members that were harassed and marched out of the state during the election.
It would be recalled that some journalists from Osun State Broadcasting Corporation were harassed, arrested and escorted out of Ekiti State during the election.
The AIG added: “I got the text message that some journalists were harassed and sent back to Osun.
“But I asked one of my men to find out.
“I don’t know whether it actually happened.
“But I can say that the overzealousness of our men was minimal during the election.
“I want to apologise to those who were affected and I want to assure you that appropriate action would be taken against such officers that misbehave.”
Nasarawa rated the election as peaceful and commended the voters for their conduct, attributing the success of the poll to the high level of preparedness of both the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies.
The police boss also applauded the acceptability of the results of the poll, saying it was gratifying to note that the results were largely accepted, even by major gladiators of the process.
“However, I wish to advice in the interest of the general public, that if anyone, group of people or political party have any grievances or objections to the conduct of the election, such complaints should be channeled to the appropriate quarters,” Nasarawa added.
He urged residents of the state to go about their normal businesses, adding that the police were out to protect the lives and property of the people.
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