Ekiti 2018: Why we Stopped PDP Rally - DIG

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IGP Joshak Habila


Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), Mr. Habila Joshak,
has declared that no party will be allowed to hold any
political rally not approved by the police until the election is held.

The police boss added that the proposed rally of the People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) was stopped to prevent possible breakdown of law and order.

Joshak, who is the overall commander of security operations for the
Ekiti State governorship election, made this revelation at the police state command yesterday, July 11, 2018 while addressing pressmen in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.

He said the PDP did not obtain police permit for the botched rally.

The police chief who addressed reporters earlier in the day before
the Government Hose drama occurred, described the action as a “pre-emptive measure” that was adopted because of the tense situation in the state.

Joshak said: “Because of the tense situation, we had to do what we did. We heard that His Excellency (Fayose) was doing something in the
Government House, the cyclists narrowed the road but we won’t go and
block his place.

“We don’t want people to gather and start another rally because dispersing them with smoke is not the best. The pre-emptive measure was okay.

“It is better to be pre-emptive by ensuring that the situation did not
degenerate.”

Joshak added: “We are not here to usurp the authority of Governor
Fayose. We are not here to rubbish him because he represents the
people

“But we are not going to allow any authorized rally that can trigger violence in the state. Yu can see that the state is tensed up.

“As law enforcement agents, we must be proactive and take actions that can prevent crisis rather than trying to quell it after it might have
broken out.”

Joshak also said, the security details of Very Important Personalities
(VIPs) in Ekiti will be withdrawn on Saturday to give all parties participating in the election a level playing field.

The DIG explained that he will work with one Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mr. H.H. Karma and three other Commissioners
of Police; Ali Janga, J.B. Kokumo and G.B. Umar, who will man each of the senatorial districts in the state.

Joshak said they have contacted security details of Governor Fayose and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode
Fayemi and other top government officials to report at 6am at the
police headquarters in Ado Ekiti on Saturday.

He said: “We won’t allow anybody to go to the polling booth with armed
men, this is a breach of the Electoral Act.

“We have contacted them and they have to be here before election commences. This election must not be compromised. They will be
documented and whoever defies this will be sanctioned, because they
have been contacted”, he warned.

Joshak urged his men not to work for any political party, saying any police officer found exhibiting such will have himself to blame.

“Those who want to create posts where votes are going to be bought will be disappointed. We are not going allow it.

“If you cast your votes, you can keep a distance and protect your
votes, but if you snatch the ballot, we will cut off your hands, if
you run with it, we will stop your legs.

“If you come out with masquerade on the day of election, we will get
it arrested and unmask the man behind it.

“My men will be civil, so people are free to come out to vote. Nobody
will be harassed, that is not part of our duties.

“Our duty is to secure not only the electoral materials but all the citizens. We are going to be professional and watchful, because we
don’t want to be bedeviled with cases of hooliganism, ballot snatching and hate speeches before, during and after this election”, he said.

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