By Auwal Ahmad:
Thirty governorship candidates in Gombe State, North East of the country have signed Peace Accord to ensuring peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections in the state.
Speaking on the occasion organized by INEC, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo described the accord as key in a democratic practice anywhere in the world.
He urged the candidates to play politics by the rules and abide by the code of conduct to run issue based campaigns at both state and local government levels.
He also urged them to caution their supporters against violence or incitement ‎before, during or after the election.
Dankwambo implored all the candidates to work towards successful and peaceful conduct of the elections and condemned spilling of blood in any form.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Mohammed Mukaddas said that there would be no compromise in ensuring free and fair elections and security service delivery in the state.
“It is our fervent hope that all the political parties gubernatorial candidates and their supporters will ensure that the accord 2019 is honoured and allowed to work so that our state will retain and sustain its position of being peaceful to remain as not only a jewel in the savannah but the jewel of the nation.
He called on all the candidates, their supporters and the people of the state to speak out against violence, misinformation and hate speeches.
“While we seek for the understanding support and cooperation of everyone in this respect and we advise each and every one of us to desist from all act or omissions that may lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state.
In his remark, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Ibrahim said that violent free election world over are critical to the credibility of the electoral process and sustenance of democracy, adding that, “This implies that there can never be credible elections without peace.
He also assured that the Independent National Electoral Commission is committed to create a level playing field to all political parties.
The occasion was witnessed by all heads of security agencies, Civil Societies Organization (CSOs) and traditional rulers, among others.
