The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of operations in Cross River State Police Command, Kabiru Ibrahim, stated their commitment to backing the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission. He was speaking at a one-day town hall meeting in Calabar focused on electoral reforms, organized by Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) in partnership with MacArthur Foundation.
Representing the State Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, Ibrahim highlighted the importance of the Commission in enhancing the country’s electoral processes. He noted that while the police can arrest offenders at polling booths, it is crucial for allied agencies and stakeholders to collaborate effectively to combat electoral crimes.
Emphasizing the need for closer coordination between electoral agencies and all election-involved parties, Ibrahim reiterated the police force’s role as the primary internal security agency and their commitment to ensuring a secure and credible electoral process.
Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, the executive director of PAACA, urged Nigerians to familiarize themselves with the electoral laws of the country, particularly the Electoral Act signed last year by the former president. He stressed the significance of understanding and adhering to these laws for every electoral exercise.
Furthermore, lawyer Inyang Ifobo suggested the possibility of amending the Electoral Act as the country progresses towards the 2027 general election. In a similar vein, Mr. Ibor Otu, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), expressed their commitment to educating Nigerians on electoral procedures despite financial constraints being a significant challenge.