18 Governorship Candidates Signs Peace Accord In Kogi State
By Abubakar S.H
Eighteen Governorship candidates in Kogi State on Wednesday signed a peace accord and pledged to guarantee peaceful conduct of the November 11 governorship elections in the state.
The convener of the event was organized by Kukah Centre, Funded by European Union.
The governorship candidates that attended the event include the Governorship Candidate of All Progressive’s Congress, APC, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo; Governorship Candidate of Action Alliance, AA, Olayinka Braimoh, the Deputy Governorship Candidate of Social Democratic party, SDP, Chief Samuel Ranti Abenemi.
Others are the candidates of the People’s Democratic party,PDP, who was represented by the Administrative secretary, Mallam Balarabe Labaran, Deputy Governorship candidate of African Democratic party, ADC, Dr. Idris Omede and representative of New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP.
Also at the signing are the Accord Party, All Progressive Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and African Democratic Party, among others
Speaking during the event at the Edgedrive Hotel, Lokoja, the representative of Inspector General of Police, DIG Ahmed Abu Sanni, urged the candidates to appeal to their supporters against perpetuating violence or indulging in any form of thuggery.
He noted that the peace accord was aimed at promoting peace in all aspects and making candidates eschew inflammatory comments which could ignite violence before, during or after the polls.
While promising to ensure security during the November 11 elections, the AIG encouraged members of the public to come out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice without fear of molestation.
He said, “I urge all the candidates to talk to your supporters, some of whom are overzealous. Tell them that elections cannot be won by violence. Signing the peace accord is not enough but talking to your supporters to comport themselves during and after the polls.
Earlier, the representative of the National chairman of NPC, John Cadinal Onaiyekan said the candidates and their parties are expected to “support all institutions of government involved in conducting or securing the elections – in particular INEC and the security agencies – to act with professionalism, impartiality and transparency.”
The governorship candidates in their separate remarks urged INEC to remain unbiased umpire and deliver free, fair and credible elections.
They also charged INEC to ensure the early arrival of election materials to different polling units as well as the transmission of election results.
The signees also pledged to “fully abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to respect the rules and regulations as laid down in the Legal Framework for Elections in Nigeria, and to adhere to best international standards.”
The representative of Gov. Yahaya Bello, commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Ahmed Deedat said, “We are very committed to ensuring that there is peace during the election saying that Gov. Yahaya Bello is a peace loving Governor.
Also, men of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Correctional Service were present.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in kogi state, Proff. Gabriel Longpet has earlier promised a level playing ground for all candidates even as he maintained that INEC remains an “unbiased umpire for the elections.”
He also reassured that materials would arrive at polling units on time.
