Khadijat Saidu, Birnin kebbi
Eleven out of the 18 registered political parties in Kebbi State have signed the peace accord and promised to ensure a rancour-free election come February polls in the state.
According to the records with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kebbi, 18 political parties are registered for the general elections in the kebbi State. But only 11 of them including the APC, PDP, PRP, and LP signed the peace accord at the Shagalinku Hotel in Birnin Kebbi.
Speaking at the event, Kebbi state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Ahmed Bello Mahmud said the signing of the peace accord is important to ensure a political party follows the rules guiding the conduct of the 2023 elections.
He said there are 12 pillars to which the political parties must commit themselves and which must bind them together to ensure the successful outcome of the elections in the state.
He said by signing the peace accord documents candidates and their parties have agreed and must work together with others to ensure the elections are rancor free and its outcome is successful.
The state Commissioner of Police Ahmed Magaji Kontagora in his address said Kebbi is known for its peaceful nature which is occasioned by the commitment of its political stakeholders. He said the peace accord is coming at the right time as the 2023 elections are around the corner.
He said the police are ready and prepared to ensure that security is in top gear for the smooth conduct of the elections. He enjoined all political actors and other stakeholders to commit themselves to the peace accord to maintain the relative peace that exists in the state.
In his remarks at the event, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, represented by the Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan said “We just witnessed the signing of the peace accord by political parties in kebbi State. We consider it a very significant effort to ensure peaceful conduct of the elections in the state”.
He added that the CP had mentioned the areas where the political parties and political actors in the state must commit themselves and as well ensure they act in line with INEC rules and guidelines for the conduct of the elections.
