The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday, said money shared by politicians was a major cause of clashes and street fights among political thugs.
Police Commissioner, Imohimi Edgal said this during a town hall security summit held in Lagos Island.
He said: “We cannot allow cultist groups to begin to fester hoping that they will receive patronage from politicians. Lagos is a cosmopolitan state, an elite environment so there is no room for thuggery in Lagos.
“I am calling on politicians to abide by the rules. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made it clear that any form of campaigns or political activities for presidency and National Assembly elections are to commence November 18. Not earlier than that.
“While governorship election campaigns will commence on December 2. So, politicians and their supporters must be patient. Political activities will not commence under any guise before the scheduled dates.
“We do not need to disguise campaigns in the name of thank you tour, or any other political activity before the stipulated time. Politicians should not go to public places and give money out.
“I am also advising that they should not give money out, because most of the troubles and killings that come up are usually because of money sharing.”
According to Edgal, cultism has assumed a frightening dimension in the state, recalling the recent killings at Ikorodu Road during a politician’s ‘Thank you tour.’
The CP was apparently referring to the bloody clash that occurred when a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the House of Representatives, Ademorin Kuye, held a meeting to thank APC members in the Somolu Federal Constituency for electing him during recent primary.
The event was said to have held at a restaurant in the Obanikoro end of Ikorodu Road.
“As stakeholders we must not take the issue of cultism with levity because it has the potential to dislocate the peace that we experience across the state.
“We will not allow people come from anywhere and heat up Lagos Island in the name of politics,” he warned.
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