The police in Benue State on Tuesday engaged political parties in the state on the need to maintain a peaceful atmosphere as the 2023 electioneering begins.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Wale Abass, also reiterated his commitment to ensuring a hitch-free campaign period and a secured environment for free and fair elections.
Wale stated this in his office in Makurdi during a meeting with political party executives which ended with the signing of a peace accord by the parties.
He disclosed that the command has commenced the training of officers in preparation for the electoral process and advised party executives to organise training sessions for their members and educate them on electoral laws and rules of engagement as specified in the 2020 Electoral Act and other extant laws.
He added that there was a need to pursue issue-based campaigns rather than engage in hate speech that would cause unnecessary tension.
The police commissioner, therefore, requested that each political party draw up itineraries for their campaigns and submit them to the police for proper security and arrangements to avoid clashes.
