In a significant move to ensure a peaceful and violence-free gubernatorial election in Ondo State, 17 political parties and their candidates have signed a peace accord ahead of the November 16 poll.
The signing, which took place on Friday at the International Culture and Event Centre in Akure, the state capital, was organized by the National Peace Committee (NPC), chaired by former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar.
Some of the parties present at the signing include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Speaking at the event, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), emphasized the importance of a peaceful election, urging candidates and their parties to commit to this goal.
He said: “Your commitment to its implementation is critical. Therefore, as you sign the peace accord, you should commit to its implementation and ensure your supporters at all levels comply.”
Yakubu said the commission had taken measures to address election day challenges, especially the perennial challenge of logistics.
He added: “Over the last four days, I have engaged with our own officials, security agencies, and transport service providers here in Ondo State to assess our readiness and perfect our arrangements for the movement of over 17,000 ad hoc and regular officials as well as large quantities of materials to 4,154 voting and collation locations (3,933 polling units, 203 Ward, and 18 LGA collation centres).
“In the case of Ondo State, this task is to be accomplished by boat in the two riverine local government areas of Ese Odo and Ilaje and by a combination of trucks, four-wheel vehicles, and motorcycles in respect of the mainland areas of the state.
“You should, therefore, expect to see a remarkable improvement in Election Day logistics. Voters in Ondo State should also expect to see a similar improvement in result management.”
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sylvester Abiodun, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, announced the deployment of over 35,000 officers to secure all 18 LGAs.
He said that officers from other security agencies, totalling 43,157 personnel, would supplement this effort.
Egbetokun said:“A detailed operation order for the election has been prepared with adequate police personnel to be deployed.
“The Nigeria Police will deploy a total of 34,657 personnel to the polling units, wards/LGA collation centres, as well as other strategic locations.
“It is expected that four police personnel will be deployed at each polling unit, which then implies that 15,732 conventional police personnel will be required for the 3,933 polling units and voting points in the state.”
Also speaking, the NPC chairman urged politicians in the state to fully commit themselves and their parties to the letter and spirit of the accord.
“Shun violence and intimidation, and remember that as politicians, you must demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, as that is a key trait of good leadership,” he said.
Abdusalam also commended members of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security for maintaining peace and security in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the APC governorship candidate promised to abide by the laws and regulations guiding the election process.
He urged other parties to follow suit, hoping that the peaceful atmosphere would be sustained during and after the elections.
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