Feb elections: APC, PDP, PRP 9 other parties sign peace accord in Kebbi

From Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi

Eleven political parties on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State signed peace accord and promised to ensure a rancour free elections in the February polls in the state.

According to INEC records18 political parties are registered for the general elections in kebbi State. But only11 of them including the APC, PDP, PRP and LP signed the peace accord at the Shagalinku Hotel in Birnin Kebbi.

Speaking at the event, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Alhaji Ahmed Bello Mahmud said signing of the peace accord is important to ensure political parties follows the rules guiding the conduct of the 2023 elections.

He said there are 12 pillars which the political parties must commit themselves to and which must bind them together to ensure 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 rancour 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 is around the corner.

He said the police is ready and prepared to ensure that the security are in top gear for 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 response, representatives of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, 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 efforts 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 to and as well ensure they act inline with INEC rules and guidlines for the conduct of the elections.