Date 2014-01-28
Category Gist & Gossip
Controversy continues to swell around the Public Order Act, a law which requires Nigerians to obtain police permits before holding public rallies and peaceful assemblies.
Speaking at a sensitization workshop organized by political parties from the North West Zone, Nigeria Police Force Assistant Inspector General of the Zone, Tambari Muhammad Yabo said an Appeal Court had said the police had no right to stop any public function.
But he said, “…another Appeal Court sitting in Ilorin had judged the Police have every right to stop any function that has been organized without their orders. …as a police officer I have right to choose between the two judgment.”
AIG Yabo said the same question over the Public Order Act was asked when he was serving as Kaduna State Police Commissioner. He challenged lawyers at the time asking them why can’t they go to the Supreme Court over the issue,
“…because they are afraid that they will not get justice, meaning justice would be in the favor of the Nigeria Police they are afraid, this is the bone of contention, and that is why you can’t talk to me about this act.”
AIG Yabo advised politicians as 2015 elections approach to observe several directives or they will have themselves to blame. The directives are: politicians should avoid snatching ballot box; dangerous and offensive weapons are banned; cautioned against use of illicit drugs; banned use of underage; stop radio use of abusive words on fellow politician; urged them to strictly abide by the Public Order Act 1979, and commence campaign only when INEC gave go ahead to do so.
Also during the workshop the North West Vice Chairman of Alliance for Democracy [AD] Abdul Garba told politicians to put the national interest above their selfish interest and to remember that whom ever makes his home inhabitable he himself would be inhabitable.
