The Assistant Inspector General of Police for zone six, Jonathan Towuru has called on leaderships of all political parties in the state to caution their members and supporters against violence in the state even as voting for the presidential election begins in 24 hours.
He made the call at the state police command in Calabar when he, alongside other commissioners of police assigned to supervise elections in the three senatorial districts of the state addressed all the leaders of political parties on the need for peaceful conduct.
Towuru said, “I do not want problems during this weekend’s presidential election neither do I want to see political parties and their supporters perpetrate violence.
“We need a peaceful election in Cross River State. This state has always been known for peace. We must maintain it.
“People must be allowed to cast their votes to whomever they want. You must caution your supporters against violence. I am begging you so that when it happens you will not come to beg.”
He also cautioned police personnel in the command to discharge their functions with respect to the electorate and in accordance with standard rules.
Regarding the burning and vandalisation of the country home of the state chairman of PDP, Venatius Ikem in Obudu LGA a day before, Towuru said he had already directed that the perpetrators be identified immediately and brought to book.
Responding on behalf of other political leaders, the chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, and the chairman of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Anthony Bissong Attah commended the police election commissioners for the meeting.
He, however, noted that the amount of violence in parts of the state, especially in the Cross River northern district was unprecedented, citing the vandalisation of Ikem yesterday and other destruction.
Condemning the violence, he said if the meeting called by the state commissioner of police, Sule Balarabe to address issues like violence and other issues in Cross River North had been held two months ago, it would have checked the ongoing situation.
He urged the police to increase their deployments in Ogoja, Obudu and Yala which are the potential violent flashpoints in the state.
He said the people should not be allowed to resort to self-help; that the police must not take sides.
Attah said they were satisfied with the election materials dispatched yesterday to different polling booths.
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