Political parties and candidates in Ondo State have signed a peace accord ahead of the 16th November governorship election.
The signing, which took place on Friday in Akure, the State capital, was organised by the National Peace Committee, headed by former Head of State, AbdulSalami Abubakar.
Some of the parties present at the signing of the peace accord include the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Labour Party, (LP), Action Democratic Party, (ADP), and Zenith Labour Party, among others.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, urged the candidates and their parties to commit to a peaceful election.
Yakubu added that the Commission had taken measures to address election day challenges, especially the perennial challenge of logistics.
On his part, the Inspector General of Police, represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sylvester Abiodun, said over 35,000 officers have been deployed to secure all 18 LGAs. He said this effort would be supplemented by officers from other security agencies, totalling 43,157 personnel.
Also speaking, the NPC chair 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 stressed.
AbduSalami also commended members of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on ElectionSecurity for maintaining peace and security in the State.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Ondo State governor and the APC governorship candidate Lucky Aiyedatiwa, promised to abide by the laws and regulations guiding the election process. He expressed his hope that the peaceful atmosphere could be sustained during and after the elections, urging other parties to follow suit.
