By Jennifer John
Political parties participating in the forthcoming general elections in Imo State, with their candidates for various elective positions, yesterday committed to a peace accord during a stakeholders meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The meeting was held at Newton Hotel, along Imo State Specialist Hospital Road, Owerri under the supervision management team of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the top echelon of all security agencies in the state, led by the Nigerian Police, Imo State Command.
In his address during the meeting, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu appreciated the politicians for carving out time to attend the meeting, despite being in the middle of their electioneering campaigns.
“We thank you for your presence and wish to assure you that the meeting will not be long, so you can resume your campaigns and other activities towards the elections.
“Turning to the ongoing electioneering campaigns, the Commission is concerned about violent attacks on supporters of political parties across the board, resulting in the loss of life in some cases. Let me once again appeal to the Chairman and leaders of political parties to continue to call your candidates and supporters to order. I also call on the Security, Intelligence and Law Enforcement Agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute anyone involved in violent conduct, including incendiary statements capable of inciting a breach of the peace.
“This ugly trend, therefore necessitates the signing of a Peace Accord by all the Political Party Chairmen, on behalf of their candidates for the various positions and we hope you all shall keep the Peace and a good spirit of sportsmanship as only one winner would emerge after each of the Elections. We pray to God for a hitch-free and violence-curbed process, even as INEC is poised to yet again conduct a credible, free, and fair Election”. The REC was enthused.
In his contribution, on behalf of other security chiefs at the meeting, Imo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Ahmed Barde, allayed the fears expressed by officials and candidates of some political parties about the neutrality of security agents during the election.
He urged them to play by the rules and imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship where winners are always magnanimous in victory and losers take it in good faith.
The commissioner assured them that no unofficial security agents, including “Ebubeagu”, will be allowed to take part in providing security during the elections.
Fielding questions from newsmen, one of the candidates who graced the meeting, Hon Ugonna Ozuruigbo described it as a step in the right direction and promised to abide by the tenets of the peace accord.
He expressed optimism that with a free and fair election, he will win his election, a landslide.
Highpoint of the meeting was the signing of the peace accord by the chairmen and candidates of almost all the political parties participating in the forthcoming general elections in the state.
