2015: Udom, Umana, ors sign Peace Accord

BY GODWIN SAM

The governorship  candidates of all the  political parties seeking election in Akwa Ibom State, along with their running mates and other office seekers have signed a Peace Accord with the Nigeria Police, Akwa Ibom State thereby promising to abide by the rules before, during and after the general elections coming up next month. 

The Assistant Inspector General of police in charge of Zone 6 Police Headquarters, Calabar, AIG Tunde Ogunsakin speaking at the occasion said that the Peace Accord signing ceremony was organize by his command to make sure that political parties, stakeholders, and political actors play the game by the rule. He warned that the Nigeria Police Force under his command would not hesitate to bring offenders of electoral laws to face the full weight of the law as there shall be no sacred cows in the discharge of their duties, because according to him “the law is no respecter of anybody, no matter how highly placed.”

AIG Ogunsakin urged all the candidates to ensure that political activities affectively accommodate the interests of all without undermining the fundamental human rights of the citizens and without also compromising the peace, order, security, and safety of lives and properties in the state. He however promised that the police officers will conduct themselves throughout the election period in an objective, liberal, firm and non-partisan and professional manner.

High point of the occasion was the signing of the Peace Accord document by candidates into all elective positions from all the political parties who were called in one party after the other to file and append their signature on the document.

Speaking after signing the document, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel said that the Peace Accord signing was a welcome development and thanked the Nigeria Police, the State Security Service, and all other Security Agencies for the good work they have done so far in providing security to all the political parties throughout the period of campaigns in the state. “As a party, we are going to set up a Central Security Committee in the PDP to drum it into the minds of our supporters that we do not want to raise a land against any of our brothers or sisters as we are all one people.” He used the event to thank the state governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, who is the Chief Security Officer in the state, for the security so far enjoyed in the state.

Also speaking, Mr. Umana Okon Umana who is the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) thanked the Nigeria Police for organizing the gathering and promised that his party the APC is a peaceful party and that they will continue to abide by the principles of tackling issues rather than persons and that the party will continue to play politics devoid of rancour. He however called on other political parties to play politics of seeing everyone as their brothers and sisters.

The Accord Party candidate, Bishop Samuel Akpan attributing the Peace Accord to the name of his party said that his party has imbibed the spirit of togetherness from inception hence the name Accord. He also stated that as all the candidates were smiling during the occasion, whoever finally emerges as the governor should make sure that he carries all others along and that all others who fail to win the seat should also continue to smile with whoever wins.

Otuekong Nse Essien, also known as Indomitable, the House of Assembly candidate for Onna State Constituency for the forthcoming elections said that the Peace Accord signing was very important as the accord, if abided by all concerned, will help the people of the state to co-exist as a people.

He described the conduct of the police and all other security agencies during the electioneering period as very perfect as they all worked together to provide security to all political parties which helped all the parties to conclude their campaigns without any security incidence anywhere in the state.

Others who spoke at the occasion included Mr. Ita Essien, the governorship candidate of Action Alliance who spoke on behalf of nine political parties. 

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gabriel Achong promised to provide a level playing field for all the parties to play the game by the rule.

Mr. Achong thanked the state Governor, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio for supporting the Police Force with materials and finance, stating that the governor had provided patrol vehicles and armour carries to the police which helped them to carry out their duties. He called on whoever will win the election as the governor to remember that the security so far enjoyed in the state is a function of funding and urge the next administration in the state to follow the footsteps of Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio in supporting the police and other security agencies.

Prayers were offered for a safe conduct of election in the state and for the safety of lives and properties in the state before, during and after the elections.

Present at the event were governorship candidates of thirteen (13) political parties and their running mates, Senatorial District candidates, the House of Representatives candidates and the House of Assembly candidates of all the political parties.