Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Mohammed Bala on Tuesday urged political parties and contestants to play politics only within the ambits of the law as they assent to the peace pact.
The CP said this in Umuahia, at a meeting with political stakeholders and signing of peace accord by candidates of different parties in the state.
“It is, therefore, the statutory duty of the Police as lead security agency in internal security and other supportive sister security agencies to ensure the protection of lives Of both the contestants and the electorates as well as protection of electoral materials. This onerous task spans from the electioneering period till after the conduct of the election”.
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CP Bala, pleaded with the candidates to adopt a level playing ground and carry out their political activities peaceably, devoid of hate speech, violence, and destruction of opponents’ billboards, just as he reminded all that there is life after the election.
“Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as an umpire is expected to treat every player equally together, we shall achieve a free, fair, and credible general election come 2023. Therefore, to guarantee this, I beckon on all political stakeholders here present to graciously assent to this Peace Accord”.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the Commissioner for Documentation and Strategic Communication, Chief Ugochukwu Emezue, says he will remain committed to the peace and Security of the state
“As the state Chief executive like he always do has promised to give a level playing ground to all political parties in the state”.
On his part, Charles Ezema the admin sectary of INEC who represented the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ike Uzochukwu, urged candidates to run issue-based campaigns and refrain from statements that incite violence
“In Abia state, we are witnessing attacks by politicians and supporters on their opponents instead of issue-based campaigns, we urge you to maintain a principled mandate on seeking to establish a reasonable level of civility and decency in public discussion and debate associated with election and campaign”.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Ceekay Igara, reminded all party members and candidates that they are all brothers, friends, and neighbors before playing politics, noting that when the elections are over they will remain brothers, friends and neighbors, therefore, there is no need for a do or die affair in political activities.
He further said that some political parties are been given undue advantage thereby causing other political parties to find a way of venting their anger. He appealed to INEC and other political stakeholders to be fair to everybody no matter the political party involved.
“The political parties are the main stakeholder in this activity and they are the people that once they agree there will be peace now we have already agreed on our own as politicians that there must be peace”.
