The Nigeria Police Force has commenced discreet investigations into alleged unguarded and inciting statements made by three prominent political figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP AniIniedu, disclosed this on Tuesday during the joint security spokespersons briefing in Abuja.
Those named by the police are Senator Francis Fadahunsi representing Osun East Senatorial District, Sainna Buba, Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, and Danjuma Shekwolo, Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the police, Senator Fadahunsi was questioned over an alleged threat against members of the Accord Party during the August 15 Osun State governorship election. A video of the incident reportedly surfaced online.
Commissioner Buba was accused of threatening to “flog residents who refused to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 general election.”
Chairman Shekwolo was also alleged to have warned residents of Kuje Area Council to either vote for the APC in 2027 or leave the council.
_“On the issue of the senator in Osun State, the council chairman in FCT and the Borno commissioner’s inciting comments, I was part of the team that questioned the distinguished Senator in Osun State,”_ CSP AniIniedu said.
_“The law is very clear when it comes to incitement. It is criminal to incite members of the public, especially as you comment on the electoral process.”_
The Force spokesperson stated that all the alleged inciting statements are currently under investigation and the findings will be made public.
_“The Nigeria Police Force is responsible for maintaining law and order and we will not shy away from this responsibility, no matter whose ox is gored,”_ he declared.
He further cautioned political stakeholders to refrain from making comments capable of inciting violence or disrupting public order.
The police also revealed that 154 persons arrested during the Osun governorship election are still being investigated.
On the protest by retired police pensioners in Lagos, CSP AniIniedu defended the use of force, saying the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, had engaged the pensioners twice on lawful channels of engagement.
_“The law permits the Nigeria Police Force to use proportionate force in the quelling of any riotous gathering,”_ he said, while appealing to the pensioners to continue their agitation peacefully.
The Force also decried the reluctance of witnesses to testify in court, describing it as a major challenge to prosecuting electoral offenses.
_“I would enjoin you, enlightened members of the public, to come forward without fear and to give your representation so we could help our lawyers in prosecution of these cases,”_ he added.
