The Police Command in Nasarawa State has warned political parties and their supporters against any act of violence ahead of the Court of Appeal judgment on the governorship election in the state.

The state acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Shettima Muhammad, gave the warning during a press conference on Monday in Lafia.

He said that the police in collaboration with other security agencies had beefed up security across the state to forestall the breakdown of law and order before and after the soon-to be delivered judgment.

“Security personnel have been adequately deployed to strategic locations in the state to maintain peace. I hereby call on leaders of all political parties to prevail on their supporters to shun unguarded utterances that may trigger political tension or engage in mass action that may be seen as preparation for violent procession. They should also celebrate moderately without infringing on the fundamental rights of members of the public.

“Anyone or group that tries to disrupt peace and cause breakdown of law and order shall face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

The acting CP assured of the commitment of the police to provide adequate security for citizens and encouraged them to go about their legitimate business and avoid acts capable of disrupting peace in the state.

The governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Lafia had in a split judgment of two to one, on October 2, nullified the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress and declared Mr David Umbugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party as winner of the governorship election.

Mr Sule challenged the ruling of the tribunal at the Appeal Court, which was heard on November 15 and the court reserved judgment to a date yet to be announced.

(NAN)