2027: Police Warn Politicians Against Using Thugs to Win Votes
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, the Sokoto State Police Command has warned politicians against recruiting or using thugs to disrupt campaigns and electoral activities.
The command said political parties and their candidates must take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters before, during and after the elections to prevent violence and protect the lives and property of citizens.
The Commissioner of Police, Hassan Hayatu Shaffa, gave the warning during an interactive meeting with chairmen of political parties in Sokoto State.
Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s readiness to ensure a peaceful electoral process, stressing that all political parties must comply with established election guidelines.
He outlined a five-point operational template that would guide the command’s activities ahead of the elections.
The police commissioner specifically warned political parties to ensure that campaign activities do not degenerate into insults, character assassination or inflammatory rhetoric, urging them to focus on their manifestos and issues that affect voters.
He also cautioned party leaders that they would be held accountable for the conduct of their supporters, particularly during rallies, meetings and other campaign activities.
Shaffa urged political parties and their leaders to cooperate with the police by providing intelligence on potential flashpoints, restive areas and emerging security threats.
He said early information sharing would enable the command to respond quickly to threats and prevent them from escalating into violence.
Responding on behalf of the political parties, the Sokoto State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Haruna S. Adiya, assured the police that the party was prepared to abide by electoral rules and respect the rule of law.
No fewer than 17 political parties attended the meeting, including the APC, ADC, NDC, AAC, PRP, Labour Party, NNPP, APM, AP, BP, DLA, AC and ADA, among others.
The police warning comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, putting renewed focus on the responsibility of political parties to prevent their campaigns from becoming breeding grounds for violence.
