Parties, security agencies, others shun peace pact in Ondo

POLITICAL parties, security agencies and other stakeholders shunned the peace accord meeting organised by Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Ondo State Command to curb pre and post election violence.

   The meeting was initiated by the state Commissioner of Police, Isaac Eke, under the supervision of AIG Ikemefuna Okoye, the new Assistant Inspector General of Zone 11, which has Ondo, Osun and Oyo in its command.

   “It was a stakeholders’ arrangement where all party leaders and aspirants shall sign a peace accord with the Nigeria Police, Ondo State Command as an assurance of promoting violence-free election in the state,” Eke said.

   According to him, “There is no gainsaying the fact that the Nigeria Police is the leading law enforcement outfit in Nigeria and also the core agency saddled with the responsibility for internal security; therefore it behooves on Ondo State Police Command to champion the stakeholders’ meeting in ensuring peaceful, credible, fair and violence-free elections.”

   But unfortunately, none of the political parties, some stakeholders and security agencies turned up at the meeting. The AIG addressed those who were in attendance and ascribed this to the postponement of the elections to March 28 and April 11 respectively by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

   Ikemefuna assured the public that a new date shall be fixed and communicated to all the stakeholders.

   However, Banji Okunomo, the state’s publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a telephone conversation said the party was not aware of the meeting. 

   Attempts to reach the state chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Isaac Kemeke failed, as all correspondence were directed to him by other members of his executives, who stated that only the chairman can answer the enquiry.

   The Nigeria Police Zonal Commander and the state command assured the general public that the police will ensure fairness during the polls.