IGP HAFIZ RINGIM UNCONSTITUIONAL AND ILLEGAL DIRECTIVE ON NO GSM PHONES AT THE POLLING STATIONS

IGP HAFIZ RINGIM UNCONSTITUIONAL AND ILLEGAL DIRECTIVE ON NO GSM PHONES AT THE POLLING STATIONS The Centre for Rights & Policy Development (CRPD) condemns in the strongest terms the unconstitutional, illegal, barbaric, crude, uncivilized and assault on the integrity of Nigerians directive by the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim that no GSM phones will be allowed at the polling stations on elections day. We are hereby demanding the immediate resignation of the IGP for trying to sabotage the electoral process. At a time when Nigerians have been fully mobilized and sensitized to take their destiny in their hands by re-enacting here the second part of the peoples revolution that is blowing across the globe in which we played our own part by registering enmasse and now with the determination of change boldly etched in the peoples consciousness by coming out enmasse to vote, our confused and misguided IGP wants to cause confusion at the polling centers with this illegal directive. In decent climes, with the high level of insecurity pervading the land, the IGP would have resigned, but here we have an IGP who has shown a high level of incompetence in tackling security concerns trying to divert attention by issuing directives in an area he lacks constitutional authority. INEC is the only body constitutionally empowered to issue guidelines for the conduct of elections, while the role of the Police is to provide security, so we wonder which section of the constitution the IGP is relying upon to usurp the functions of INEC by issuing this unconstitutional directive. We are hereby using this medium to alert Nigerians to hold the IGP responsible for any breakdown of law and order at the polling stations anywhere in the country due to this reckless directive. We also want to use this medium to issue a counter directive to the gallant men and officers of the Nigerian Police Force who have been under funded, ill-equipped and poorly motivated to fight crime in the society to disobey this illegal and unconstitutional directive and join hands with the Nigerian people to effect a change for the peoples government of our dreams. We are also calling on Nigerians to disregard this irresponsible directive and go to the polls on election days and peacefully cast their votes for the candidates of their choice in an atmosphere devoid of rancor and resist the enemies of progress who want to cause breakdown of law and order. We wish Nigerians happy, orderly and peaceful elections. Thanks, Your’s Sincerely, Nelson Ekujumi, Acting Executive Director.