2015 Elections: Agbon Monarch Preaches Peace …As Political Parties, Stakeholders sign Peace Pact for Violence Free Polls

Francis Sadhere

As the 2015 general election draws closer, the traditional ruler of Agbon Kingdom,  HRH Ogurimerime, the Ukori 1 of Agbon kingdom, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, recently tasked his subjects on the need for a peaceful election  in Nigeria, noting that  elections should not be a do or die affair.

In this vain the three major political parties in the kingdom, APC, PDP and LP and other stakeholders through the instance of the monarch, were  all made to sign a peace pact for a violence free polls in the kingdom.

The monarch urged Nigerians to provide conducive environment for a peaceful election, noting that without peace the country will will not achieve the needed development and progress it desires.

Addressing the people of Agbon kingdom  at his palace in Kokori, the monarch urged the people of his kingdom not to allow themselves to be used by politicians who are bent on fomenting trouble in the kingdom, adding that they should stay away from such politicians as such politicians will be sanctioned.

He said what the Agbon people needed most is development and not violence, emphasizing that life goes on after elections, therefore there was no need to kill each other.

According to the monarch, “the purpose of this meeting to make sure that the next general election in Agbon kingdom is violence free and conducted in  a conducive atmosphere. I am saying this because we are all brothers and sisters. We are all from one descendant.”

The Agbon monarch advised the stakeholders, community leaders and political party representatives to go back to their various communities and preach the message of peace during the elections. He added that the Council of Elders in Agbon Kingdom have decided that what happened during the last council election will not repeat itself again, adding that they cannot afford to destroy themselves all in the name of politics.

The Ukori 1 of Agbon kingdom said he was very happy for how the stakeholders meeting turned out, stressing that politicians who make promises to the people and later jettisoned them when they are in power should not be allowed to participate in elections because it was  promises like that that give rise to political violence.

He advice politicians to look into the remuneration of politicians because most politicians spend too much money at the detriment of the people.

He said politicians who violate the peace accord will be sanctioned by the Traditional Council and anybody who is fingered in any election violence will not be given traditional chieftaincy title.

He also warned all strangers coming to Agbon kingdom during election day to  stay clear of the kingdom, saying that anyone caught will be handed over to security agents.

The various political parties also resolved that they will refrain from making public statements that will incite the public into violence, adding that as politicians they would base their campaign on issues rather than individuals.

Speaking further, the Agbon monarch said he was disappointed with the way politics is played in Nigeria, lamenting that there was no longer party discipline like it used to be in those days where politicians still remain in their party despite losing elections.

He said he is worried by the way politicians cross parties at will when they did not get a ticket in their party, noting that such attitude was not good for politics. He added that political party activities should be separated from religion, ethnic and other social activities.

Speaking on behalf of the All Progressives Party, Chief Frank Kokori, a former labour leader, and a chieftain of APC, thanked the monarch for calling all the political parties in the kingdom together to talk peace, pledging the party’s loyalty to the peace accord.

While advising all present at the meeting to take the message of peace home, Chief Kokori said the 2015 elections should not be a do or die affair and no blood of a Kokori son should be sheered in the course of any election, just as he called for a free and fair election in the community.

Renown Associate Professor of Mathematics in Delta State University, Abraka, Dr. Festus Arunaye who spoke on behalf of Labour Party, blamed the violence elections in Agbon kingdom on the ruling party, saying that PDP leaders in Agbon kingdom should go and talk to their loyal supporters and advice them stop the violence.

He however, assured the Agbon Monarch of his party’s resolve to respect the peace accord signed, but noted that unless the root cause of the incessant political violence in Agbon Kingdom is tackled, there will be no peaceful election in the kingdom.

On his part, Olorogun Bernard Edewor, who represented the PDP, said the stakeholders meeting called by the monarch is sign of good things to come to the kingdom, adding that all political parties should strive and make sure that there is peaceful election in the kingdom.

Edewor assured the monarch that his party will do everything it can to ensure that the kingdom is peaceful during the elections. He also promised to go back home and talk to their supporters to shun violence in the next election.

Also speaking the Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Council, Chief (Mrs.)  Faith Majemite advised parents to call their children to order during the polls, stressing that the election will be different from other election in the kingdom.

She warned that any youths found with arms will be arrested and handed over to security agents, advising all President Generals in the kingdom to try and fish out strangers amongst the people.

Others present at the peace pact were: representative of the Army, Police, SSS, INEC, vigilante groups, and others.