PSC warns policemen against being friendly with politicians

The Police Service Commission on Wednesday warned policemen
against fraternising with politicians and political parties during
the general elections.

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.”