…DSS Warns Parties Against Breach Of Peace
From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano, has condemned the absence of representatives of political parties in the state participating in the forthcoming general elections, during its stakeholders meeting, held on Thursday, at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
The AUTHORITY reports that registered political parties invited to the stakeholders meeting boycotted it without cogent reasons.
The meeting was convoked to deliberate on the proposed plan to stage Mock Accreditation Exercise Using BVN.
INEC had sent letters of invitation to political parties, civil society groups, the media, security agencies and other critical stakeholders with a view to discussing issues bordering on how best to ensure hitch-free elections in the state.
Speaking during the meeting, Director, Centre For Democratic Studies, Mumbayya House, Kano, Prof. Habu Fagge, expressed displeasure over the absence of all the political parties at the strategic meeting.
Prof. Habu condemned the zero participation of political parties in the meeting, which he described as strategic to the success of the forthcoming general elections in the state.
He emphasized that such meetings are important , noting that the attendance of key political actors is key towards the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
In his remarks, INEC Kano Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Abdul Zango also lamented the attitude of the political parties.
He said the Commission had enjoyed support from various key stakeholders in the state, adding that he was taken aback by the absence of the political parties at the crucial meeting.
He noted that the meeting was convened to create a platform where the political parties will be reassured of INEC’s preparedness to conduct credible, free and fair 2023 elections.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services, (DSS) Kano Command, has warned political parties and their foot-soldiers to henceforth, desist from perpetrating activities that could lead to the breach of public peace in the state.
The Head of Operations at the Command, Alhassan Musa Tiffi, warned that the Service would not fold its arms to watch as criminal elements under the pretence of political activities, continue to constitute threats to public peace.
Tiffi in a goodwill message at the meeting organized by INEC stated that as the 2023 general elections draw closer, the Service is aware of the heightened activities of thuggery, destruction of public properties, such as billboards and other acts of criminality.
According to him, the Service as a strategic intelligence gathering organ of government is alive to its responsibilities.
Tiffi who also frowned at the absence of the representatives of political.parties at the meeting cautioned that the full weight of the law will be invoked on any individual or group of persons, who constitute any form of threat to the conduct of the forthcoming elections.
He reassured that the DSS is working in collaboration with sister-security agencies to ensure a violent-free elections in the state.
However, the meeting was attended by members of the civil society organizations, media, paramilitary organizations, religious leaders and traditional rulers.
INEC is scheduled to conduct the accreditation mock exercise , on February 4 across the three senatorial zones in the state.
