2023: IGP bans use of Amotekun, ESN, others for campaigns

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Baba, has banned Amotekun, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other state sponsored security outfits from being deployed by politicians and political actors during the 2023 general elections campaign starting next week.

IGP Baba gave the directive while addressing senior police officers, Commissioners of Police (CPs) and above, during the monthly meeting with strategic police managers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He explained that the measure was aimed at ensuring the general elections were not exposed to any form of compromise and abuses.

The police boss, who said Conference was to review evolving political programmes as laid out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and chart clear pathways to ensure a smooth electoral process in the countdown to the 2023 general elections, tasked the senior officers to discharge professional leadership to achieve election security in tandem with the Electoral Act 2022 and the code of conduct as well as the rules of engagement for security personnel on electoral duty.

“We must leave no citizen in doubt of our commitment to national peace and security, as well as our unwavering determination to advance the democratic and national security interests of our beloved nation.

“The 2023 general election and the processes leading to it will certainly put us to test in this regard. Drawing on our widely commended performances in recent elections, however, I am very confident, and I trust that you shall not fail both the Police institution and the country in the upcoming electoral engagements.

“Note and be strictly guided by the fact that all quasi-security outfits that were established by the various state governments and local communities and which are operating under different nomenclatures, structures, and orientations have no legal roles under the Electoral Act 2020 and within the electoral process.

“Hence, you are charged to ensure that they are not in any way or manner utilised by any political or community actor for any role during the electioneering campaign and other electoral processes in the countdown to the 2023 general elections. Such will amount to acts in illegality and a potent threat to national security which could be inimical to our nation’s democratic interest.

“We are also expected to adopt a professional orientation that emphasises democratic values, and respect for human rights and dignity, while being mindful of the duty imposed by the law to protect the electorates,” he said.

He explained that the outcome of the credibility of the 2023 general elections would be measured by the extent to which the police abide by professional and legal standards as well as their decisions and actions as the police interface with political parties in emplacing appropriate machinery to guarantee a peaceful electioneering campaign process.

According to him, ”We must leave no citizen in doubt of our commitment to national peace and security, as well as our unwavering determination to advance the democratic and national security interests of our beloved nation.

“The 2023 general election and the processes leading to it will certainly put us to test in this regard. Drawing on our widely commended performances in recent elections, however, I am very confident, and I trust that you shall not fail both the police institution and the country in the upcoming electoral engagement.

“Accordingly, as you return to your Commands to prepare for the electioneering campaigns, the Commissioners of Police across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT are directed as follows: Liaise with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and the leaderships of all the political parties in your commands towards mutually coming up with a campaign timetable that will address possible conflicts both in date, time, and venues.

“The political campaign timetable for each state should be forwarded to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Department of Operations, who will collate and forward the comprehensive layout to my office not later than  September 27, 2022.

“Submit an Election Security Action Plan that will detail your deployment plans for the security of all the venues of the political campaigns as they affect your commands. This should also be submitted to my office through the DIG Operations not later than  September 27, 2022.

“Convey the decision banning all quasi-security outfits in the various states and local communities from electioneering campaigns and other politically related activities to your state governors, local government chairmen, community leaders, and leaderships of all political parties in your commands for their guidance.

“In so doing, it should be clearly emphasised to them that any unauthorised quasi-security agent found to be engaging in any election or political activities stands the risk of being arrested and prosecuted along with their collaborators.

“Redirect your intelligence activities to monitor possible elements that might be attempting to threaten the electioneering campaign process, promptly isolate them, and frustrate their illegal and undemocratic intentions.

“Ensure that you upscale your deployments to dominate the public space to ensure that criminal elements do not take advantage of the active political space to manifest their criminal intents.”