General Election: Security Agencies, INEC, Political Parties Sign Peace Accord In Benin

BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

Benin City – Security agencies, Independent National Electoral Commission and some political parties in Edo State on Wednesday signed a peace accord towards a hitch-free and credible forthcoming general election in the state.

The pact which was reached at a stakeholders meeting held at the police Officers Mess, GRA, Benin City was organized by the state police command in conjunction with other sister security agencies and INEC.

Prior to the peace accord, security agencies present and the INEC assured a level playing field for all participating political parties in the exercise.

The state Police Commissioner CP Hakeem Odumosu pledged to deploy human and material resources at the disposal of state police command towards ensuring adequate security before, during and after the polls.

CP Hakeem enjoined the players to sensitize their supporters against violence as election was not a do or die affairs.

He however maintained that though the election would serve as a test for all the stakeholders, but they should be guided by the fact that the exercise would go but “Edo State, Nigeria would continue to remain.”

CP Hakeem disclosed that the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu had put in place strategic action plan for the police in the forthcoming elections.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State Mr. Emmanuel Alex-Hart expressed the commission’s preparedness for credible polls come February 16 and thereafter.

He however enjoined those who are yet to collect their PVC to visit the collection center.

Representatives of the various political parties present were unanimous in urging security agencies and the electoral umpire to be professional in the discharge of their constitutional mandate.

They called on INEC and security agencies to ensure that vote buying is not allowed irrespective of the political party involved

The stakeholders also appealed to the election commission to ensure that the people’s votes count and their fundamental human rights are respected during and after the polls.

.Amongst those present were personnel from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), traditional rulers, civil society groups, market women, youths groups religious leaders, INEC officials and heads of security agencies in the state.