Political parties in Niger State have jointly committed to maintaining peace and ensuring credible conduct in the forthcoming Local Government elections scheduled for November 1.
The peace pact was signed during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, at the Command Headquarters in Minna.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the session brought together party leaders, candidates, and security agencies.
The delegation of political parties was led by the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Niger State chapter, Alhaji Isah Makujeri.
Other key attendees included the Chairman of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), Mohammed Imam, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs, Nma Kolo, alongside Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and representatives of other security formations.
Addressing the gathering, the Commissioner of Police said the peace meeting was convened to promote political maturity, accountability, and collective commitment among stakeholders. He outlined the provisions of the peace accord, stressing that all parties must abide by its terms to guarantee a credible electoral process.
Elleman also assured that the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies and NSIEC, had put in place robust security arrangements to provide a safe and conducive environment for the polls.
He urged young people and party supporters to act as peace ambassadors, warning against being manipulated into engaging in violence. He reiterated that the Police’s constitutional responsibility is to protect lives and property, not to intimidate citizens, adding that officers would demonstrate professionalism before, during, and after the elections.
In his remarks, NSIEC Chairman, Mohammed Imam, commended the cooperation of all political actors and disclosed that a 15-point agenda had been developed to guide the electoral process.
“The agenda is aimed at producing 24 Local Government chairmen and 274 councillors from 4,950 polling units,” he stated. Imam encouraged participants to view the peace accord as a solemn commitment and to uphold its provisions throughout the election period.
He also praised IPAC for its mediation role and affirmed that adequate preparations had been made by the electoral body in partnership with security agencies to ensure smooth elections.
On his part, IPAC Chairman, Alhaji Isah Makujeri, appreciated NSIEC for granting political parties six months to prepare, describing the process so far as peaceful and transparent.
He noted that, in line with Governor Muhammad Bago’s directive, whoever emerges victorious in the elections should be duly declared to promote fairness and credibility.
Makujeri further commended the Police for their professional handling of the recent Munya bye-election, expressing optimism that the upcoming local government polls would be even more peaceful.
During the session, participants made several observations and suggestions, which were addressed by both the NSIEC chairman and the Commissioner of Police before the peace accord was read out by the Command’s Legal Officer, CSP Jude Akaeze.
