By Oyibo Salihu
Lokoja
Ahead of the November 21 governorship election in Kogi state, candidates have signed an accord to ensure that there was peace before, during and after the election.
Speaking at the occasion which was organised by the Kogi State Police Command in Lokoja, the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the peace accord was aimed at encouraging political parties, candidates and supporters to eschew violence, hate speeches and all acts capable of causing crisis during the election.
He said: “In the build up to the forthcoming governorship election of, we have recorded sad incidences of violence and thuggery which do not augur well for peaceful conduct of election.
“This initiative is necessitated by the desire and determination of the Kogi state police command and stakeholders to ensure and achieve free, fair and credible election devoid of violence before, during and after the Kogi state gubernatorial election.”
While calling on all politicians and their supporters to conduct themselves in orderly manner to ensure hitch free governorship poll in the state, Ojukwu, however, advised parents to warn their children against being used to foment trouble on Election Day.
The event was attended by representatives of 24 political parties fielding candidates for the election and other key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).