…pledges to be of good conduct before,during and after the elections
Ahead of the 2023 general elections starting this month, political parties and candidates for the different positions have signed peace accord to be of good conduct and to ensure firm control of their supporters before, during and after the elections.
Press statement signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu A. Abiodun however did not give details of the contents of the peace accord as journalist were not invited for this all important event ahead of the elections.
The statement also quotes the Commissioner of Police Niger State Command, Mr. Ogundele J. Ayodeji, as saying that the gathering provided the opportunity for political interests to have a one-on-one interface on how to ensure that the elections are generally peaceful in the state.
Police and other security agencies are usually faced with the challenges of ensuring safety of lives and properties, the Commissioner said, reminding them however that peace cannot be achieved without the collaborations and synergy with other relevant political stakeholders like them, hence the reason for the meeting.
The gathering which took place at the police officers’ mess is to amongst others remind all political stakeholders on the need to guard their utterances, activities and movements which he said must be subject of compliance to the laws of the land, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and as well their respective Party Constitutions which must be respected and honoured.
As politicians and political parties, Ayodeji encouraged them to abreast with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Public Order Act which amongst others indicated that they must adhere to issue-based campaigns and say no to campaign of calumny.
Also speaking, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Alhaji Ahmed Yushau Garki assured of level playing field for all political parties and their contestants, adding however that training of ad-hoc staff will commence this week.
While the state Controller Nigerian Correctional Service, Salman Abdulkadir appealed to all the political parties to abide by the law as defaulters will be made to face the full wrath of the law, the Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), C.C Kumar Tsukwam promised to ensure that road worthy vehicles are being used to convey materials and ad-hoc staff through synergy with NURTW, RTEAN and NARTO.
State NDLEA Commander, Mr. Haruna Kwetishe in his contributions cautioned politicians and their supporters against use of drugs and drug abuse especially during campaigns or at political gatherings will not be condoned.
During the stakeholders meeting which had in attendant the state IPAC Chairman, Isah Mohammed Bello Maikujeri, representative of political parties; NRM, PDP, SDP, NNPP, ACCORD, ADC, ADP, LP, AA and the ZLP later signed the peace accord under the supervision of the Command’s Legal Officer SP Jude Akaeze.
