Nigerians have continued to react to a press release made by the Nigeria Police Force over the use of pets, especially, dogs, at the polling units on 11 March.
According to the press release, the NPK kicked against the use of dogs on election day, describing the act as criminal, condemnable and runs contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended.
A statement released on Tuesday, 7 March, by the spokesperson of the police force, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, says the provision of Section 126 (1) of the Electoral Act. 2022, explains clearly those actions exhibited by electorates that constitute electoral breaches and are punishable under the law. He went on to say that paragraph (f) mentioned the possession of weapons calculated to intimidate voters and electoral officers.
‘’Dogs could be classed as offensive weapons as their owners/handlers can use them to intimidate, harass and cause assault and bodily harm to others. The Dogs Act, CAP 55 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1958 as domesticated in various States, and other Criminal Laws in Nigeria are trite.
“The conceived ideas and plans by certain individuals, electorates, and groups of people to go to the polls accompanied by pets are unacceptable, stand discouraged, and remain an act of electoral infraction as it will cause harassment and intimidation.
“The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, warns those who intend to display their pets, dogs specifically, for whatever purpose, at the polling units, to desist as such constitutes a violation of the electoral Act, 2022, as amended, and other extant laws.,’ the statement in part reads.
Reacting to the press release, a lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong said he has not read a statement more funny than this from Nigeria.
“I haven’t read a statement more funny than this from the Nigeria Police in a long time. Political thugs do not use dogs to disenfranchise and intimidate voters. They use guns and machetes. There’s no evidence that dogs have created problems in polling units across the country.”
@essentialbolu who agreed with his tweet wrote: “Inebehe, e tire me too.
“Maybe the Police heard that Obidients want to bring dogs to the polling booth for self defence.”
@UsoroThomas tweeted: “Nigeria has entered a period of challenge & disruptions, coming especially from what one might call “chaotic politics”
@Alexander11426 who also gave an opinion on the new directive wrote: “Learned, we are yet to hear the outcome of those arrested for electoral Malpractice/violence on 25th Feb 2023.
“I was thinking their punishment would have served as a deterrent for future electoral malpractice/violence.”
“For me this statement is more like ‘don’t come with your dogs to disrupt the activities of thugs on the day of Election’. The police is colluding with our oppressors,” @domejike said.
@Outtacobham reacted: “Straight out of the same playbook that BH used when he issued a tacit warning against those that were planning to protest at INEC collation centres after defending his boys who stood by and “observed” as thugs snatched ballot boxes on election day.”