PSC warns policemen against being friendly with politicians

The commission also reminded policemen that their duty during the election was to ensure that the process was free, fair and devoid of violence. The Chairman, PSC, Mr Musliu Smith, spoke in Maiduguri while presenting the guidelines of the commission for the 2019 general elections to Commissioners of Police in charge of Borno, Yobe and Bauchi states and other officers of the commands. Smith, who was represented by the North-East Zonal Commissioner of PSC, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (retd.), noted that a lot of things had gone wrong with the police force. He said such would be corrected with the coming of the new Inspector-General of Police. Smith urged police personnel to avoid intimidating the electorate, adding that such act would attract severe punishment. He said, “Police officers on election duties have a responsibility of ensuring that a peaceful atmosphere is maintained at the polling and counting centres during elections and that the citizens exercise their franchise without fear. “To effectively discharge these functions, never fraternise with political parties or politicians. You must be courteous and fair to all persons regardless of religious, ethnic and political affiliation. “A lot of wrong has been done and we must put them right. This government is government of change and if things are done right, we will enjoy the country.”]]>