Abayomi Oladipo, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo, has warned residents to avoid being used as “guinea pigs” as political activities pick up in the state for the party primaries.
In a statement on Saturday, Mr Oladipo said the police were ready to ensure the law takes its course on any residents involved in political disturbance using the current situation in the country to destabilise the state.
He warned all politicians participating in the primary elections to be wary of activities that can heat up the political settings.
According to him, parents and guardians are also urged to warn their children/ wards not to serve as toxic agents and purveyors of false news capable of creating anarchy in the state.
“In the same vein, the good people of the state are urged to be wary of those who may want to use them as guinea pig in the primary process, as the law will take its full course on anyone involved in Polical disturbance under whatever guise using the current state of the nation as a fulcrum of destabilization.
“While enjoying our freedom of movement and association as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (as amended) residents of the state are advised to be responsive and conduct themselves in a responsible manner.
“On this note, all political participants and supporters are urged to operate within the ambit of the law before, during and after the primary process while those who may have their reservations should handle it within the confines of the law or be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Mr Oladipo added in the copy of the statement signed by the police spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya.
He, however, urged political gladiators to warn their supporters not to be part of any disruptive or destructive act that can lead to the breakadown of law and order.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed April for the primaries ahead of the Ondo state governorship election.
Politicians and aspirants interested in the election are already moving around the nooks and crannies of the state to seek support of various party leaders and other stakeholders.
The warning by the Ondo police chief came as the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) announced a two-day strike over the current hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s watch.
Many Nigerians are lamenting as the prices of foods, goods and essential commodities continue to skyrocket in the country.
