The Lagos State command of the Nigeria Police Force has cautioned the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA over complains by political parties that members of the agency are removing their campaign billboards and posters in the state.
The warning was contained in a statement personally signed by Kayode Aderanti, the state’s Commissioner of Police and made available to journalists on Monday.
Stating that section 100 (2) of the 2010 Electoral Act as amended gives the candidates the right to post their posters, Aderanti asked LASAA to desist from the act of removing the billboards.
“It is in the interest of public peace for the agency (LASAA) to allow candidates of all political parties equal space to disseminate their campaign messages towards a successful conduct of the general elections,” the state Police boss said.
The command reaffirmed its resolve to apply the full force of the law against any individual or group that may breach public peace, during and after the elections.
“Let me restate the resolve of the state Police command to invoke the full wrath of the law before, during or after the elections on any individual or Agency of government that conducts himself or itself in anyway that is inimical to peaceful campaigns and elections,” Aderanti warned.
He added that “Lagossians are peace loving people and should be encouraged by all and sundry to remain so.”
The statement further stated that the Police Commissioner has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers, DPO in the command to be on the lookout for and arrest anybody that attempts to remove party posters under whatever guise, as “the command will not standby and allow anyone to truncate the election process,” he enthused.
Aderanti therefore assured the politicians of their safety during the period of elections while, urging them to “go about their campaigns in an “atmosphere of peace.”
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