An invitation letter from the Office of the Inspector General of Police to the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday, but dated November 13, indicated that the meeting will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Police Force Headquarters.
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Nigerian Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, has called for an urgent security meeting with the leadership of all political parties and heads of various security agencies in the country.
An invitation letter from the Office of the Inspector General of Police to the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday, but dated November 13, indicated that the meeting will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Police Force Headquarters.
The police in the invitation letter addressed to Sowore, with Ref number: CZ:4700/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL. 10/174, said the focus of the meeting is to discuss critical issues as they impact on national security and the 2023 general elections.
Titled "Urgent Invitation To A Critical National Security Meeting," the invitation was signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector General of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa.
The letter reads: "I am directed by the Inspector General of Police to convey his warm courtesy and write to invite your Party to an urgent meeting which is proposed for Thursday 17th November, 2022 by 11a.m Prompt at the IGP Conference Hall, 7th Floor, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja.
"The meeting which is being urgently convened to discuss critical issues as they impact on national security and the 2023 General Elections will be hosted by the Inspector General of Police and have in attendance the National Chairman and one other high-ranking officer of each of the eighteen registered Political Parties in the country.
"Also to be in attendance are the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Offices of the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Defence Staff, the Director General, Department of State Services (DG DSS), Director General, National Intelligence Agency (DG NIA), Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (CD NSCDC) and Heads of other services that are complementing the Nigeria Police in election security operations.
"In cognizance of the critical nature of the issues to be discussed, the Inspector General of Police emphasizes the importance of the personal attendance of the National Chairman, accompanied by a senior officer of the Party. For ease of protocol and further information, kindly contact the undersigned on 08120010000/ 08053944227.
"Accept, the National Chairman, the assurances of the honour of the esteemed regards and highest consideration of the Inspector General of Police, please."
SaharaReporters gathered that the meeting may be connected with the attacks on political parties in various states in the country.
Last week, SaharaReporters reported that the campaign convoy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was attacked in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. One of the PDP supporters was reportedly killed while others were injured.
In Enugu and Ebonyi states, Labour Party activities and candidates have also been attacked and campaign materials damaged.
For instance, in Enugu, campaign billboards of Labour Party governorship candidate, Hon Chijioke Edeoga, especially around New Haven and Ogui junctions were on Saturday destroyed by suspected PDP thugs in Enugu State.
In Kogi, Governor Yahaya Bello has threatened to physically attack or kill members of opposition parties who stand in his way.