Governor Nasir el-Rufai of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Kaduna State; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship
candidate, Isa Ashiru; and 20 other governorship candidates of other political
parties on Tuesday signed a peace accord to ensure violence-free elections in
the state.
The peace accord was initiated by the state police command
for the peaceful conduct of the forth coming general election in the state.
Speaking during the occasion which was held at the Police
Officers’ Mess in Kaduna, the state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Ahmad
Abdurrahman, said the signing of the peace agreement was in line with the
principles of community engagement to ensure peaceful transition of political
power which includes the conduct of a free, fair, peaceful and credible
election.
He said: “The peace accord signifies our respective
commitment to peace and symbolises respect for the rule of law.
“This is why I implore you all to do the needful by
signing this accord with the command to work together in our respective ways
towards achieving a peaceful atmosphere, violence-free and credible elections.”
Abdulrahman, who noted that winning election into public
office should not be a do-or-die affair, appealed to the candidates and their
supporters to avoid smear campaign, character assassination or inciting one
group, tribe or religion against another just to score cheap political points.
According to the state police boss, “You should also
avoid using hate speech or indecent language as it is a contest of ideas, battle
of winning majority votes, the hearts and minds of the people, as well as
selling feasible policies and programmes to better the lives of the electorate.
"I want to emphasise that a violence-free
election is a fundamental means to sustainable peace and development. In
ensuring a peaceful and successful election, the behaviour of politicians and
party members is crucial.”
He urged them to prepare their minds to accept the results of
the elections for the sake of the country just as he urged that whoever emerges
winner must not allow his supporters to jubilate in a provocative manner that
may cause violence.
The commissioner assured the people that the police would be
firmed and fair as they “will not be seen taking side with any party or
candidate...”
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