"SHUN ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND THUGGERY", FG WARNS

nI In its determination to ensure that nigerians enjoy a peaceful General Elections in 2019, the Federal Government has advised against the use of any form of thuggery and violence by politicians and party supporters so as to ensure a free and fair election process in the country. 

This was made known today in a statement issued and signed by Dr. Mohammed Bello Umar, Permanent Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Interior in Abuja today. 

According to the statement, the Hon. Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) while addressing the media in his office in Abuja, said that "government will not fold its arms to watch politicians throw the country into chaos and unrest simply because they want to win elections". 

Dambazau pointed out that, security agencies have been directed to ensure adequate security of lives and property during and even before the General elections in line with the policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to free and fair elections in 2019 and this can only be possible if politicians give peace a chance by avoiding all forms of political thuggery and violence in their struggle to get elected”.

The Minister reiterated that the possession of any type of weapons during elections or rallies may attract arrest and prosecution.

He therefore advised youth in the country not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians who want power at all cost and may influence them into political thuggery and violence over little gratification, at the detriment of their future.