Isiyaku Ahmed
On Thursday, the Jigawa State Police Command convened a strategic meeting with political parties and key stakeholders, culminating in the signing of a peace accord ahead of the 2027 electioneering campaigns and electoral processes.
The meeting was organized as part of the Command’s proactive measures to promote peaceful, credible, and violence-free political activities across the state, bringing together officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), chairmen and executives of registered political parties, and members of the media.
According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Shiisu Lawan Adam, among the parties represented were the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP), among others.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended the political parties, INEC and the media for responding to the Command’s invitation.
He stressed the need for collective responsibility, mutual respect, political tolerance and strict adherence to electoral laws throughout the electioneering period.
CP Murtala assured stakeholders that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to providing a secure environment where political parties, candidates, supporters, electoral officials, observers and members of the public could participate freely in the electoral process without fear, intimidation or violence.
The Commissioner urged political leaders to caution their supporters against acts capable of threatening peace and public order, including hate speech, inflammatory statements, irresponsible use of social media, vote buying, ballot-box snatching, thuggery, intimidation and destruction of campaign materials.
He also warned against the possession of weapons and other forms of electoral malpractice and violence.
CP Murtala reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led policing and community engagement, assuring stakeholders that the Police would maintain law and order and provide a level playing field before, during and after the elections.
The INEC delegation, led by the Commission’s Administrative Secretary, Ibrahim Idris, JP, also highlighted the responsibilities of political parties and other stakeholders in ensuring that the electoral process was conducted peacefully and in accordance with relevant laws, regulations and guidelines.
During an interactive session, chairmen of the various political parties presented their observations, recommendations and concerns regarding the forthcoming electioneering activities.
The discussions focused on peaceful campaigns, security, political tolerance, stakeholder cooperation and responsible conduct by political parties and their supporters.
The Police Command welcomed the contributions and assured the political leaders that their concerns would be given due consideration within the scope of its mandate.
A major highlight of the meeting was the signing of the Peace Accord, through which participating political parties and other stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful political engagement, respect for democratic values, compliance with electoral laws and rejection of violence before, during and after the elections.
The Command described the accord as a significant demonstration of the collective commitment of political actors and other stakeholders to preserving the peace and security for which Jigawa State is known.
The meeting ended with a closing prayer and a group photograph involving the Commissioner of Police, INEC representatives, political party chairmen and executives, and members of the Command Management Team.
The Jigawa State Police Command called on residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and vigilant, assuring them that adequate security measures would be deployed to protect lives and property and ensure the peaceful conduct of forthcoming electioneering and electoral activities.
The Command further urged political parties and their supporters to treat the elections as a contest of ideas and programs rather than a conflict, stressing the need to place the peace, unity and development of Jigawa State above partisan interests.
