Enugu 2019: PDP, APC sign peace accord as CP warns against violence

THE Enugu State Police Commissioner, Muhammed Danmalam has charged candidates of all political parties and their candidates participating in the forthcoming general elections to avoid bitterness and rancour, saying politics should not be regarded as a do-or-die affair.

DanMallam who gave the advise on Wednesday during the sign accord meeting he had with stakeholders including traditional, Local Government Chairmen, warned that any person caught causing disorderliness and trouble before, during and after elections would be dealt with according to the law.

The Police Commissioner noted Enugu is a peaceful and politically mature state, stressing that they had been accommodating one another.

“Political parties should caution their supporters against violence as the police would not hesitate to arrest anyone found instigating violence”, he added.

“This meeting is to remind the political parties and their supporters to ensure peace and free election in 2019 because the international communities are watching us.”

“As a command we have prepared to provide adequate security during and after election. It is to tell you that election is not do or die affair and the result must be acceptable by the political parties to ensure sustainability of democracy.

“I urge the candidates of all the political parties to call their supporters to order,  to maintain peace and free election. We will arrest any body found violating the order,” Danmallam said.

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In his address, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was represented by his deputy, Cecelia Ezeilo advised stakeholders and politicians not to allow selfish interest to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the state.

She further said, “our goal is to maintain the existing peaceful coexistence in the state so we should not allow selfish interest to divide us.”

While lauding the state police command for its efforts in combating crime in the state, she said that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment for every body to carry out their normal business, noting that Enugu remained one of the most peaceful states in the country.

Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, His Royal Highness Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu pointed out that as custodians of tradition of various communities, they would work with security agencies to ensure that peace is maintained in the state before, during and after the election.

The high point of the meeting was the signing of peace accord by chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Chief Augustine Nnamani and Dr Ben Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) respectively.
Other political parties and their candidates were conspicuously absent at the meeting.

The meeting was attended by various security agencies, Traditional leaders, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representative, media practitioners, PDP, APC, journalists, among others.