Political parties in Abuja join peace pact

 By Evelyn Okakwu, with agency report

In what looked like a waving resolve across the country for peace, leaders of different political parties yesterday in Abuja signed a peace accord to maintain peace and eschew violence before, during and after the 2015 general elections in the territory.

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The peace accord which follws a similar one signed by the two major gubernatorial candidates in Lagos state, was signed at the FCT Police Command at the instance of a meeting summoned by the AIG in charge of Zone 7 which comprises of Kaduna, Niger states, and the FCT, Mr Patrick Dokumor.‎

According to the report, five parties participated in the  peace accord namely, the PDP, APC, APGA, LP and the SDP.

Dokumor during the ceremony urged the party leaders to prevail on their supporters to shun violence, and work to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

He warned that the police and others security agencies were ready to deal with ``trouble makers``.

``This is not the first time we are having elections, but I do not know why this one – 2015 is so acrimonious, I do not why; it is not a do or die matter,” he stressed; adding that ``As we finish this meeting today, call your supporters to order. The question of tearing of posters, attacking party campaign teams and ambushing people should be a thing of the past,’’ he said.

He further directed the Commissioner of Police, FCT, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, to arrest and prosecute any politician or supporters of politicians, who commit any of those acts after the accord.

``Politicians cannot be a threat to a country of over 170 million people, Nigeria will remain after the elections. The unity and peace of this country cannot be negotiated,’’ he said.

Dokumor noted that campaigns so far had been characterised by hate speech, tearing of posters, destruction of property, burning of vehicles and forms of attack.

Traditional rulers in the territory, led by the Oonah of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, witnessed the signing of the accord.

FCT INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Jacob Jato who also witnessed the accord, commended the parties and urged them to work toward a peaceful election next month.