Abuja- Leaders of political parties in the FCT have signed a peace accord to maintain peace and refrain from acts of violence before, during and after the general elections in the territory.
The leaders signed the accord on Tuesday at the FCT Police Command during a meeting summoned by the AIG in charge of Zone 7, Mr Patrick Dokumor.
Zone 7 comprises Kaduna and Niger states, and the FCT.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the parties which signed the accord included the PDP, APC, APGA, LP and the SDP.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dokumor urged the parties to prevail on their supporters to shun violence, and work to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.
He warned that the police and other security agencies were ready to deal with “trouble makers.
“This is not the first time we are having elections in this country. People should not see it as do-or-die affair.
“As we finish this meeting today, I want you to call your supporters to order. The question of tearing of posters, attacking party campaign teams and ambushing people should be a thing of the past.’’
The AIG directed the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, to arrest and prosecute any politician or supporters of politicians who commit any of those acts after the accord.
He said “you – politicians cannot be a threat to a country of over 170 million people, Nigeria will remain after the elections. The unity and peace of this country cannot be negotiated.’’
“Hate speech, tearing of posters, destruction of property, burning of vehicles and attacks will not be tolerated.’’
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He said the FCT had remained peaceful and called on those relocating for fear of violence not to do so as security agencies were working hard to maintain the peace.
NAN also reports that the traditional rulers in the territory, led by the Oonah of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, witnessed the signing of the accord.
Prof. Jacob Jato, the FCT INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, who also witnessed the accord signing, commended the parties and urged them to work toward peaceful elections.
The REC said INEC would use the period of the rescheduled elections to distribute the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to registered voters in the territory.
Jato also said that the commission would use the period to continue to train its personnel, including ad hoc staff that would be involved in the conduct of the elections.
Sen. Philip Aduda, in an interview after the ceremony, assured that with the accord, all political parties in the territory would work hard to ensure that peace prevailed throughout the elections.
Aduda said “I am sure that people will not be more cautious about violence and ensure we live peacefully.
“The FCT is a miniature of Nigeria, where everybody lives, we want to be pace setters and ensure that there is peace within the territory.’’ (NAN)