Candidates seeking various elective positions on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sign an accord with them, as a pledge of its commitment to conducting free and fair elections in the state.
The party’s candidates made the demand on Monday at a meeting with candidates of other political parties in the state, the State Commissioner of Police, Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders across the 23 local government Areas of the state.
At the meeting, the group said it was asking for the accord to ensure that the polls would be conducted in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Act.
All candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were absent at the meeting.
Peace Accord
Those in attendance signed a peace accord to shun all forms violence before, during and after the elections.
A representative of the APC candidates vying for positions at the State and National Assembly, Mr Shehu Sani, told the INEC and the police to remain neutral and commit themselves to their constitutional responsibilities of ensuring a peaceful atmosphere and also conducting free and fair polls that would be acceptable by all parties.
Mr Sani, who is also the APC Senatorial Candidate for Kaduna Central Zone, said: “Only when the parties are given equal fair play and justice that the peace pact can be sustained”. He warned that any attempt to rig the forthcoming elections, could trigger violence in the nation.
He also warned INEC to stand by the March 28 and April 11 election dates, saying further shift in the date could plunge the country into another political crisis.
The peace accord preceded the one signed two weeks ago by gubernatorial candidates in the state before the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone Seven.
The peace accord document was read to the hearing of the candidates before they filed out one after the other to append their signatures.
Addressing the candidates, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Shehu, advised them to conduct their electioneering campaigns in a peaceful manner.
He also warned them to also abide by the accord, stressing that the command will deal with any candidate or group involved in any act of violence before, during and after the polls.
He also said that many political thugs, who were arrested for election violent across the state, would soon be charged to court.
An INEC official, Dalhatu Mohammed, said the commission had put all strategies in place to enable it conduct free and fair elections.
With the signing of this peace pact, it is hoped by the political gladiators will play the game according to the rules and ensure a hitch free elections.