The candidates of various political parties and stakeholders in Anambra state have signed a peace accord ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The peace accord was signed at the Anambra state headquarters of the state Police Command Amawbia, Awka South Council Area. Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chief Chikodi Anara commended the police for their efforts towards sustaining peace across the state and noted that the accord would encourage political parties and their supporters to avoid acts capable of overheating the polity.
Chief Anara reassured that the state government is quite ready for the election and would provide peaceful and conducive environment for voters to elect candidates of their choice without interference from any quarter and made it clear that members of the state vigilante service will not be part of the security architecture for the election or any political activity.
Also speaking, the Anambra state Police Commissioner Mr. Echeng Echeng, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration and Finance Mr. Peter Ozigi said that the platform was an opportunity to engage strategic stakeholders on measures to maintain peaceful and credible elections.
Mr. Echeng assured that the police will strive to consolidate on achievements recorded during the last governorship election in the state by ensuring a strong and efficient security network before, during and after the elections.
The Head of Election and Party Monitoring, Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Anambra state, Mr. Emmanuel Isong in his remarks assured that the commission is well prepared and ready for the elections and urged stakeholders to provide the needed environment that will encourage people to come out and vote for candidates of their choice.
The Chairman, Anambra state Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe represented by the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Bennett Emeka cautioned politicians not to see the election as a do or die affair and avoid acts that could instigate violence.
In their separate reactions, some of the candidates and their representatives, commended the peace accord initiative.
Among the candidates that signed the accord were the member representing Awka South Two Constituency at the state House of Assembly and the All Progressive Grand Alliance candidate for the same post in the coming election, Honorable Chukwuma Okoye, representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Allied Peoples Movement and Young Progressives Party.
Olusola Akintonde
