By Omos Oyinbode Asaba
As a proactive strategy aimed at forestalling occurrence of politically motivated violence in the build up to the 2015 general elections and beyond, over 20 Candidates across different political parties aspiring for various positions in the next month’s general elections were yesterday swore to an oath and signed a Peace Pact in Asaba, Delta state capital.
Equally, 48 hours has been given to those candidates who did not attend the Peace Accord meeting nor send any representative, to go to the state Police headquarters in Asaba to sign their Peace Pact or will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Speaking in Asaba during the occasion of the Peace Accord meeting organized for Political Parties and their Candidates, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Alkali Baba Usman said the Command was committed and poised to provide violence free environment for all peace loving residents in the state before, during and after the general elections.
To this end, CP Alkali added that the Command has put in place special investigation teams to investigate and prosecute all infractions on the Electoral Act 2010(as amended) in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, and of course all extant laws in force.
According to him, “We gathered here today in one accord devoid of rancour across party divide to chart a course of action that will foster friendliness and rancour free elections . We must all not only agree but equally realize the need to be more democratic in the conduct of our political activities within the ambits of the laws with a view to ensuring peace, understanding and respect for each other”.
Alkali urged parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against being used as a veritable instrument to create confusion in the state, saying that the full wrath of the law will be made to bear on such errant individuals or group of persons along with their sponsors.
He also urged the political candidates to embrace peace in the spirit of peace pact signed by them.
Nigerian Pilot observed that about eleven political parties attended the peace accord meeting held at the instance of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
