Police commissioner Ussaini Gumel has cautioned Sokoto politicians and other stakeholders against hate speech and violent campaigns in the state.

Mr Gumel gave the warning in Sokoto during a consultation meeting with political parties, law enforcement agents and other stakeholders ahead of the 2023 elections.

He urged political players to play by the rule of the game and ensure that they all engaged in issue-based campaigns as the process commenced.

“Section 95 of the Electoral Act 2022 defined the responsibilities of political parties and candidates, the media and public institutions with sanctions for violations of any of the provisions,” the police chief in Sokoto explained.

Mr Gumel added, “Independent National Electoral Commission has come out with a code of conduct in line with the provision of the Electoral Act 2022, to guide the activities of all the registered political parties as the 2023 electioneering campaign commences.”

The police commissioner added that the Sokoto command, guided by the security situation in the state, would put measures in place to checkmate patterns of campaigns.

He read out the guidelines for electioneering in line with the Electoral Act 2022, the Police Act and the Public Order Act for a proper and peaceful conduct of the political rallies and processions.

SSS director in Sokoto, Hassan Yahaya, advised politicians and media practitioners to play by the rule throughout the electioneering campaigns.

Also, INEC administrative secretary in Sokoto, Hauwa Kangiwa, urged political parties to pay attention to the content of the Code of Conduct, provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

(NAN)