Political stakeholders in Kano State have signed a peace accord ahead of the forthcoming by-election in the state, pledging to conduct themselves and their supporters peacefully before, during, and after the polls.
The peace pact, facilitated by the Kano State Police Command in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Peace Committee, was signed on Tuesday at the Police Officers’ Mess in Bompai.
Representatives of participating political parties, candidates, security agencies, traditional rulers, and civil society groups attended the ceremony.
Kano State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, said the accord was aimed at preventing violence, curbing hate speech, and ensuring a level playing field for all candidates.
“The signing of this peace accord is a commitment to the democratic process and to the safety of our people. We expect full compliance from all parties,” Gumel stated.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, Abdu Zango, urged parties to respect the rules of engagement, adding that the commission had made adequate arrangements for credible, transparent, and hitch-free polls.
Representatives of the parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), promised to abide by the agreement and restrain their supporters from acts that could disrupt the election.
The Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, represented by a senior palace official, appealed to candidates to remember that “politics is temporary, but peace is permanent,” warning against inflammatory statements or actions that could threaten harmony in the state.
The by-election is scheduled to hold later this month in selected constituencies following vacancies created by nullified election results.
Follow us on all social media platforms @dailyquery for news and analyses around the globe.
