February 01, (THEWILL) – Ahead of Saturday’s re-run elections in Sokoto State, candidates and their political parties have, on Thursday, signed a peace accord to ensure peaceful conduct during the election.
The accord was initiated by the State Commissioner of Police, Ali Kaigama. It was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other security agencies in the state.
Speaking at the event, Kaigama said the police are fully ready to ensure a hitch-free election across the designated polling units.
He warned that whoever does not have a permanent voters card in any of the affected polling units should not bother to go near the polling units.
He said the security agents in the State, including the Nigerian Army, Police, NSCDC and others, have resolved to work in synergy to ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
“I want to assure all that the election is going to be devoid of any criminal activities as all arrangements have been concluded to ensure the election is free, fair, credible and widely accepted by all.
“Elections in not a war and I want to assure you that we will not let any politician turn the forthcoming election to war; it must be a peaceful election,” he said
Also, INEC Administrative Secretary in the State, Mrs Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, said the Commission is also ready to conduct credible polls.
She reaffirms that there is not going to be voting by proxy, urging all eligible voters in the election to physically present themselves for the exercise.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Isa Sadiq Achida, said the party is satisfied with the signed peace accord.
He, however, expressed that his party will coast to victory in all the re-run elections.
Also, the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hassan Sahabi Sanyinawal, said the party is ready for the polls while assuring that his party will secure victory for all positions vying in the re-run exercise.
About the Author
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
