The Nigerian Police Force has said that it would meet with the various political parties and their candidates to sign another peace accord, ahead of the February elections.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, said this, on Monday, shortly before he held a closed door meeting with Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police at the Force Headquarters; Vanguard reports. Abba told newsmen that the accord was to get the candidates to prevail on their supporters to refrain from acts of violence before, during and after the elections.
It would be remembered that leaders of all the political parties had signed a peace accord in Abuja in January. “One of those things we will do in the next few days ahead of the elections is to bring the politicians, particularly the contestants, together to sign a peace accord. “This will be done so that their members will understand that this game is played in peace, not in pieces.
“That the game is played according to the rules provided by our laws not according to the wishes of individuals,” Abba said.
He also said the meeting would be replicated at command levels across the country. On those relocating for fear of crisis, the Inspector General urged them to remain where they were as the police and sister security agencies were working to ensure law and order throughout the elections.
“Movement from one part of the country to the other is not the best solution; the best solution is for all stakeholders to come together to work for peace. “We want to assure people living in Nigeria that we will work hand-in-hand with our colleagues to make sure that the peace is maintained.
“We will make sure that there is law and order during the elections and the days that follow,’’ he said. Abba called on politicians to preach peace to their followers. He assured that there would be no rivalry among the various security agencies involved in the election as they would be coordinated under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCRS).
Abuja Accord 2.0: Police And Politicians To Meet For Another Peace Pact
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This initiative by d NPF is a welcome development. The IG must also ensure that police will not be use to rig election or to harass politicians from excercising their constitutional rights. Electrotrol offenders must be dealt with. If this can be done, I think d problem is solved. But it may be difficult for police because those politicians knows how to convinced officers on duty to work in their favor. Ignorance and injustice are d two significant factors that causes post election violence. While governmental agencies are responsible to educate people, ensure justice and equity during election and deal with d offenders during election.