The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has accused the governor of promoting political violence within their states.
According to the IGP, some state governors engage the services of thugs and sub-national outfits during campaigns.
The IGP noted that these illegal security outfits become tools in the hands of state governors for the disruption of political events of opposing parties.
“The police have been receiving reports of some state governors who encourage political thugs and sub-national security outfits under their control to disrupt seamless and statutorily guaranteed campaign activities of parties or candidates with whom they hold opposing political views,” the IGP said.
“In so doing, they deploy their powers and influences to either prevent the mounting of campaign bill boards or pull them down, while also denying political opponents of spaces to undertake their campaigns or peaceful political congregations in contravention of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022,” he added.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom said that he would be equipping a newly created security outfit, Community Volunteer Guard, with AK47 in order for them to protect Benue state residents from suspected killer Fulani herdsmen.
The federal government has, however, cautioned Ortom against such action adding that he lacks the powers to acquire and distribute weapons to any group.
