As the election campaign season gets underway the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Wilson Inalegwu, has warned that all political parties must apply for permit before they can organize rallies, campaigns, assembly, meetings and processions for security reasons.
The police boss also assured political party leaders and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner, FCT, Godwin Kwanga, who he met with on Tuesday in Abuja, that the police would be fair to all political parties in the FCT during the 2015 general elections.
“The essence of applying for approvals for your rallies and assemblies is to enable the Police to provide security for you and to prevent clashes between opposing campaign trains”, he explained.
While calling on politicians to play by the rule, the police chief promised a level playing field for all.
He said, “My invitation to you to this office at this particular period is to ensure that we all maintain peace and orderliness in the forthcoming elections. On our own part, we will ensure that police will give all political parties a level playing ground to operate, as long as it falls within the ambit of the law guiding elections in the country. We will ensure that we are fair to all political parties”.
Inalegwu also promised that the Police would provide security whenever it is necessary, adding that the Force is accessible for complaints and observations from political stakeholders.