Political parties, flagbearers sign peace pact in Delta

EIGHT registered political parties, including the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the major opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) Wednesday signed a peace pact to forestall violence before, during and after the general election.

The signatories to the peace accord which was brokered by the Delta State Police Command included some of the governorship, National Assembly, House of Assembly candidates and chairmen of the political parties.

Curiously absent from the parley which was attended by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Deputy Governor Amos Utuama (SAN), PDP governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his LP counterpart, Chief Great Ogboru, was Olorogun O’tega Emerhor of the  APC.

Also, the APC state Chairman, Prophet Jones Erue as well as the Delta North Senatorial candidate of the PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi were conspicuously absent.

While Emerhor reportedly traveled out of the country, Erue was said to be in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for some pressing issues during the duration of the ceremony.

The Delta North senatorial candidate of Accord Party and former Speaker Victor Ochei, Delta Central Senatorial candidate of Labour Party, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege and the Delta South senatorial candidate of APC, Mr. Yemi Emiko among other contestants were present and appended their signatures.

 Also among the witnesses at the peace signing pact which was administered by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 5, Musa Daura, were Bishop of Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion,  Rev. Justus Mogekwu, the state Commissioner for Justice, Charles Ajuyah, Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Aniedi Abasi Ikoiwak and a host of others.

The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Alkali Baba Usman, said the strategy was aimed at forestalling politically motivated violence before, during and after the election.