The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr
Suleiman Abba, has said that politicians with
criminal records will be stopped from contesting
the 2015 general elections.
Abba, in his maiden meeting with Commissioners
of Police in the 36 states and other senior officers
in Abuja on Wednesday, said the force would
collaborate with other security agencies to
achieve the goal.
“During screening of candidates, we will
collaborate with our colleagues, particularly the
Department of State Services to ensure that
candidates with criminal records are not allowed
to contest the election”, he said.
Fielding questions from newsmen before the
meeting went into a closed door session, Abba
said the force was poised to provide adequate
security for the elections.
“We have made adequate arrangements to make
sure that the police provide sufficient security for
all the activities leading to the election and
election.
“These activities have started and they include
the registration of voters, primaries, conventions
and the campaigns by all the political parties and
candidates.
“In all these activities, the police will ensure that
adequate security is provided for those involved,
including the INEC and party officials”, he said.
On the role of the police in the ongoing counter-
terrorism, he said the force had not been
relegated to the background but playing its role.
“The police who are in-charge of internal security
cannot be relegated to the background though the
military is present in all the states of the
federation.
“They are performing their responsibility in
support of the civil authority, the police.
“The states where they are more visible are the
areas where their support is most needed”, he
said, and added that the police were more visible
in internal security.
Abba said that one of 20 personnel said to be still
missing in the attack on Police College in Gwoza,
resurfaced on Monday and gave an assurance
that others would soon be located.
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