Ondo poll: Political parties sign peace accord

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 at the International Culture and Event Centre in Akure, the state capital, was organised by the National Peace Committee, headed by former Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar.

Some of the parties present at the signing of the peace accord include the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party, among others.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, urged the candidates and their parties to commit to a peaceful election.

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 added that the commission had taken measures to address election day challenges, especially the perennial challenge of logistics.

He said, “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.”

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.

“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 centers 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,” Egbetokun stated.

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 said.

Abdusalam 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, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and the APC governorship candidate promised to abide by the laws and regulations guiding the election process.

He hoped that the peaceful atmosphere could be sustained during and after the elections, urging other parties to follow suit.