Guber candidates, 18 Political Parties sign peace pact in Zamfara

Governorship Candidates and eighteen political parties in Zamfara have signed a peace accord committing themselves to a peaceful campaign and conduct of activities for the 2023 General election.

This is because some politicians and their supporters create incitements during electioneering Campaigns which could endanger the country’s peace

The Development is coming a few days after the electoral umpire, INEC lift ban on Political Campaign ahead of next year’s Election

The pattern of public communication among some political actors and their spokespersons always amplify the potential for personal attacks, insults, and incitement during electioneering Campaigns

A trend which had for long shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns to the politics of thuggery

This is why the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Zamfara Organises this meeting to sue for peace among Political parties

The committee which Comprises Security and para-Military agencies was set up by INEC to assist in ensuring a hitch free electioneering Campaigns, activities and the main Election come February and March next year

This Development is coming barely a week after Presidential Candidates and Political Parties at the national level commit to peace ahead of next year’s General Election

Addressing the gathering in Gusau, the Zamfara State Police Commissioner Kolo Yusuf says the meeting is aimed at stimulating healthy interaction and mutual discussion on matters relating to the security and overall conduct of the 2023 General Election

“The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) is an adhoc Committee of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made up of the Nigeria Police, Department of Security Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Custom Service, National Orientation Agency and the Military under the auspices of INEC in the State” he said.

“One of the complex and fundamental chains in the success and credibility of the electoral processes is election security. The first challenge of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) is the proper mapping out of electoral constituencies for purposes of providing adequate security. Therefore, the committee is the clearing house on election security matters engendered by the need to pool security assets together for efficient and effective deployment and management during the forthcoming elections”Kolo Yusuf addede

CP Kolo Yusuf also reitrates the ban on the use of quasi security outfit and firearms during election Campaigns and activities

“Lets remind ourselves, that good leadership and governance stem from the credibility of the emergence process. We shall not allow the process to be contaminated and/or tainted with thuggery, brigandage and violence. Therefore, the involvement of quasi-security outfits during campaigns/rallies and other electoral processes is hereby banned. Also the use of firearms and other offensive weapons remained prohibited, as infractions will obviously be visited with consequences” he noted

“By signing the peace accord, we expect all Political Parties to campaign peacefully and adhere to guidelines of Electoral Act 2022 as amended. You are further advised to always inform the Police and other Security Agencies of your campaigns/rallies as scheduled. This will not only enable adequate security coverage to be provided, but will reduce the incidences of having two political parties campaigning in the same location at the same time” The Zamfara police boss said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on it’s part assures of a free, fair and credible Elections come 2023

The INEC resident electoral Commissioner in Zamfara Prof. Babura Ahmed said the electoral umpire will use the advantage of modern technology to deliver a Hitch-Free Elections

“Be rest assured that INEC is ready, willing, committed and has made all the necessary arrangements to conduct an election that will be acceptable to all” Prof. Babura

” The electoral act 2022 has given us very clear guidelines and we are prepared to ensure that the elections are transparent, credible and acceptable to all” the REC Maintained

Some Political parties at the event promise to abide by the rules of the game and will allow electorates to vote any Candidate of their choice

With this Development and assurances from Political actors, it is expected that Zamfara will witness a violence free Election come 2023

Some of the functions of the Zamfara Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security is to coordinate the desired elections security management system for INEC, Develop locally-focused plans for providing security before, during and after elections and Harmonize the training, development and actions of security personnel on election duty among other things.