Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has urged members of political parties eschew violence ahead of the July 22 local government elections.

Owoseni made the appeal at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja while meeting with state chairmen and secretaries of the parties.

He said the meeting was called as a result of fracas which occurred in Surulere during mock primaries of a political party which claimed the life of a victim.

The police commissioner said it was also for proper interaction between the political parties and the police, to be able to nip in the bud any untoward incident.

The incident that happened last week is a pointer that political activities in Lagos are no longer cordial as they used to be.

This is Lagos where everyone has taken each other as brothers. I’m surprised to see an incident where someone had to lose his life.

State Secretary, Labor Party, Olubolaji Osinowo expressed the hope that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) would be fair to all parties, to avoid any form of violence.

State Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Funsho Ologunde also urged the electoral body to provide adequate forms to enable everyone who had aspiration to obtain them.

According to him, failure of the electoral body to do so is one the reasons why violence occurs during elections.

State Chairman, National Conscience Party, Fatai Ibuowo, urged the police to be neutral during the primaries and the elections to avoid violence.

He also identified the fees charged by LASIEC for forms as a vexed issue which was causing tension and hould be reconsidered.

LASIEC is charging fees for the collection of forms which is supposed to be free. The police should please intervene to prevent any form of violence.” he said.

State Secretary, Accord Party, Lanre Ogundare commended the police on its efforts during the party’s primaries which were peaceful.

Owoseni subsequently gave the party representatives numbers to call whenever they need police assistance.

He advised them to inform the police of their activities at least 72 hours in advance.