From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has informed political parties in the state that it would not permit any political reception within the premises of Ilorin International Airport.
The Command also said it would not grant permission for two political parties to hold rally on the same day, at the same time in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ambrose Aisebor, who stated this on yesterday while addressing political parties in Ilorin, said this action was to prevent any violence and act of thuggery that could disrupt the peace and harmony of the state.
He said that the police would give adequate security to all political parties in the state stressing that the command under him would ensure fairness to all parties.
Aisabor who warned against removal of other party’s bill boards, and posters said he was in Ilorin to provide level ground for all stakeholders.
The Police boss said he had spoken with Kwara Advertisement Signatory Agency (KWASA)’s General Manager not to target any political party in the bid to sanitize the environment of posters, even as he stressed that every Nigerians have right to do his/her normal business without any molestation.
He added that the political campaign can not commence until November 16, 2014 according to INEC and the Constitution of Nigeria stressing that the Command must be notified of any political gathering before it takes off.
In his remark, the Interim Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, Hon Ishola Balogun-Fulani said his members would continue to be law abiding and support the command in its bid to sustain peaceful co-existence among the people.
The APC Chairman who expressed displeasure over the removal of the party posters and defacement of its bill boards presented 60 copies of pictures showing some of its posters destroyed by opposition party and appealed to the Police to do its investigation.
While reacting, Chairman Caretaker Committee of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Solomon Edojah, who was represented by Hon Aliru Dantoro Mamud complained that many of President Goodluck Jonathan posters, bill boards were removed by agents of APC stressing that the party needed to enlighten their members on how to give respect whom it is due.
