2019 polls: Police, APGA, APC, PDP, others sign peace accord in Anambra

AS the February 16 and March 2, 2019 general elections draw near, the Anambra State Police Command has entered into a peace agreement with leaders of various political parties in the state to ensure peaceful coexistence in the buildup to the process.

The peace accord signing ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Police Headquarters in Awka, the Anambra state capital.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Garuba Baba Umar told the audience at the event that the signing of the agreement is to ensure peace before, during, and after the elections.

The commissioner said the command under his watch will maintain absolute neutrality and professionalism in line with internationally accepted best practices as well as to provide a level playing ground for all political parties in the state.

He maintained that the command will not leave any stone unturned in order to ensure the success of this election. To achieve that, Mr Umar noted that the command had initiated a strategic action plan in accordance with the vision and mission of the Inspector General of Police IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.

ALSO READ: Delta 2019 elections: Meet the mother of all battles

Some of the vision and mission includes; training and capacity building of officers and men of the command on election security and respect for Human right, partner with all sister agencies for effective coverage, identify all the polling units and flash points for effective deployment, among others.

He advised the leadership of the various political parties in the state to call their supporters to order and be of good behaviour during the voting exercise.

The police commissioner assured them that the command was already putting necessary measures in place to ensure the success of the polls.

He added that the police would ensure a level-playing ground for all parties fielding candidates and warned youths to avoid being used as political thugs for the elections.

Mr Umar also asked the political parties to play by the rules of the game by exploring an internal mechanism to resolve their grievances in order not to heat up the polity.

On their separate speeches, the state chairman, All Progressive Congress APC Chief Basil Ejidike and the State coordinator, Atiku/Obi campaign council, Mr. Harry Oranezi, who commended the exercise, urged the state security agencies especially the police to maintain neutrality and arrest who so ever involved in vote buying and selling during voting.