At least 18 political parties participating in Saturday’s governorship election in Imo have signed a peace agreement vowing to avoid violence before, during, and after the election.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the National Peace Committee (NPC) mediated the peace agreement.
In a statement, former Head of State and Committee Chairman Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) urged Imo voters to vote in large numbers to elect a governor of their choice.
In a taped video presented at the event, Abubakar stated that the public had no right to protest if elected officials “do the rubbish they do in governance.”
“So, it is right for every voter to come out to ensure that they vote for the candidate of their choice so that we get the right people to represent us,” he said.
He further urged youths to avoid being used as vanguards of electoral violence “because, in the long run, it is you, the youth, or the people who would have been used to cause pain and sorrow in society.”
Abubakar, who also advised security agencies not to intimidate voters, appealed to INEC and its officials to show sincerity in conducting free and credible polls in the state.
Also, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, commended NPC for sustaining its support for promoting peaceful elections and democracy in Nigeria.
Yakubu solicited the support of security agencies, political parties, and candidates for the peace accord to succeed.
“I will like to reaffirm the commission’s commitment to only credible and transparent elections.
“The commission has done everything possible to ensure that Saturday’s elections are credible.
“It is not enough to sign the peace accord; what is important is to apply its letters and spirit,” the INEC boss said.
NAN also reports that Yakubu was represented by the commission’s National Commissioner in charge of the South-East, Mr Kenneth Ukeagu.
In a speech, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, represented by DIG Frank Mba, commended the NPC for conceptualizing and institutionalizing the peace accord.
Egbetokun described the signing of the peace accord as an important part of the electoral component, particularly given the violence associated with elections in the past.
He said,
“On our part, as peace officers, we pledge our commitment to peace and security around the elections.
“We have done 80 per cent of our deployment.
“We have about 20 per cent, which we will complete within 24 hours.
“We assure voters in Imo that our deployment is not intended to intimidate voters but reassure them of a safe and secure environment for them to exercise their franchise.
“We pledge in this election to be politically neutral to provide a level playing field for all politicians, citizens, and voters,” Egbetokun said.
He assured the people that the security personnel deployed for the poll would remain non-allies.
According to him, our interest is the peaceful conduct of the election, and we will do everything within the ambit of the law to protect and defend the electoral space for everyone.
He further urged politicians who signed the peace accord to take their commitment seriously.
Speaking on behalf of the political parties and candidates, the state chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council, Mr Levi Ekeh, underscored the importance of the signing of the accord to ensure peace and harmony during the election.
Vanguard