2015 Elections: Ignore Police IG – APC Tells Voters

Nigerian voters have been advised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ignore the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Abba Suleiman.

Abba had directed Nigerians to go home immediately after casting their votes in the forthcoming elections.

The APC in statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed called on the electorate to stay behind and protect their votes after casting their ballots, just as they did in 2011, Vanguard reports.

According to the APC, the suspicious directive by the IGP contradicts that of the INEC boss, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who said the electoral law does not state anywhere that voters cannot or should not wait to watch and ensure that their votes are counted.

The statement read: “According to Jega, who appeared on Channels TV on Friday morning, the electoral law says anyone that has no business with the electoral process at the polling booths but desires to monitor events should stay at least some metres away from the polling agents and completely away from the ballot box after casting their votes.

“The INEC Chairman further clarified that all registered voters have businesses with the process and can therefore not be classified as people that don’t have businesses at polling units.

“Therefore, the IGP has no constitutional right or powers under the constitution or Police Act to rewrite the electoral law. The role of the police is to maintain law and order or such other assistance as may be sought from the police by INEC.”

The opposition party also urged Nigerians to ignore the so-called public service announcement concerning the show of force by government security agencies, saying it is part of efforts to intimidate the electorate and pave the way for the PDP to rig the elections.

The party asked Nigerians to ignore the SMS being sent around by the agents of the PDP, asking them to send their names and the last five digits of their VIN (Voter Identification Number) to certain numbers.

The APC said: “These and other messages are being sent out by the PDP to steal people’s PVCs, intimidate voters and manipulate the elections. Nigerians should never allow that to happen.”

A statement issued on Thursday by the Force spokesman, Acting Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, had revealed that Abba has ordered special security surveillance for offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC offices nationwide, media houses as well as telecommunications facilities ahead of the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

The police IG had claimed that there were plans by some politicians to announce results of the general elections, rather than allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to announce the results when due.