In order to check violence and political riot, Governorship candidates of political parties in Akwa Ibom State have officially signed “Peace Accord”, to abide by the provisions in the electoral act in ensuring peace reigns in the state before, during and after the conduct of the 2015 general elections.

Among those who signed the accord are the Governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Udom Emmanuel, All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship candidate, Obong Umana Okon Umana and the Governorship candidate of Accord Party AP), Bishop Samuel Akpan.

The signing of the peace accord was supervised by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 6, Calabar, AIG Tunde Ogunsakin, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gabriel Achong and political stakeholders in the state.

In a remark, the APC Governorship candidate, promised to keep to the rules of the game and urged the security agencies in the state to remain firm and unbiased in ensuring security, peace and order in the state.

On his part, Governorship candidate of PDP lauded security agencies in the state for granting security to all political parties during their electioneering campaigns saying the accord was a welcome development.

“We the candidates have resolved to talk to our supporters that the forthcoming election must be very peaceful that anybody who wins is for the interest of Akwa Ibom”, said Mr Emmanuel.

Also speaking at the peace accord ceremony held at the Police Officers Mess, off Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the AIG urged the governorship candidates, those seeking elective positions and politicians to abide by the rules of the elections as there shall be “no sacred cow”.

Reading out the role of the Police as spelt out in the Constitution as well as in the Electoral Act, Ogunsakin warned that the law was no respecter on anybody, no matter how highly placed in the society.

To ensure there was no breakdown of law and order before, during and after the electioneering period, the AIG vowed to deploy his expertise in the conduct of peaceful and hitch-free elections in the state.

“Therefore, political activities must be effectively managed in order not to endanger the peace in the state. This is very essential as I shall not compromise anything that will cause beach of public peace; riotous conduct and any other act like to cause a breakdown of law and other in any of the four states under my control.

“The task of ensuring a peaceful election in Akwa Ibom State, the country in general does not rest solely on the Police and other security agencies. It is the duty of everybody and it is in line with this that you have all been invited to this peaceful political accord.

The AIG who urged all politicians, stakeholders and political actors to “play the game according to the rules”, stressed that he would fully implement the dictates of the Electoral Act in managing the election.

As strategy to ensure that electoral offenders were dealt with decisively, Ogunsakin hinted that he had set up a special investigation team on electoral offences to deal with electoral complaints and offences.

Equally, he had directed all the states in the zone namely Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Rivers to set up similar squads and transfer all electoral offences to his office in Calabar during and after the election.

Noting that arms proliferation had always been a major issue in some parts of the zone, the AIG specifically directed the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to embark on intensive stop and search of all vehicles, nooks and crannies in order to nip in the bud any unwholesome acts that can impede the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Also, Commissioners of Police in the Zone have been directed to intensify raids on black spots preparatory to the general elections to ensure none of the state under the zone is made a hiding place for criminals.

The AIG advised those illegally in possession of firearms to surrender them to the police or risk the full wrath of the law.

He emphasised the preparedness and readiness of the Police to ensure free, fair, credible and violence-free elections as well as provide adequate security of lives and properties before, during and after the general elections.

“We shall on our part be objective, liberal, firm and non-partisan and perform our duties in the best possible professional manner as we owe no allegiance to any political party”, he stressed.

Source: THISDAY