Ahead of this month general elections, the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has reiterated its commitment towards ensuring the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the FCT.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja during an event organized by the Centre for Transparency Adovacy (CTA), with the theme: “Towards a credible 2019 elections, the role of stakeholders”, FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, said police officers in Nigeria have been trained on their responsibilities before, during and after the elections.
Represented on the occasion by ACP Samuel Musa, Ciroma said police officers in the FCT have been attending seminars and holding meetings with stakeholders; in order to be partners in ensuring free, fair and credible elections in the FCT.
He said: “We have partnered with stakeholders, especially INEC, to ensure free elections. Our role is just to assist INEC in ensuring credible elections. We don’t belong to any political party. If anyone has any fear or recommendations, he or she should feel free to approach us so that we can address it together; in order for the whole world to praise Nigeria after the election.
“FCT will witness the best peaceful elections ever held in this country. The police will not collate the result, but we will guard against thugs or anyone attempting to tamper with the election results. We don’t partner with politicians to rig elections, we are neutral.”
Also speaking, acting Executive Director of CTA, Ms Faith Nwadishi, said that there has been an improvement in the role played by the police during elections, but urged the force to continue taking care of their officers, in order to avoid temptations during the elections.
“Unlike before when police officers were transferred to different states during elections, with little provisions for their allowances and comfort, I have it in good authority that police officers are now being taken care of. For instance, during the election held in Anambra state, police officers were transported to the state in air conditioned vehicles. I am particularly happy about the training and retraining taking police, as it will help the police in discharging their duties.”
