Ondo 2016: Parties sign peace accord; police deploy 24,000 officers for poll

The Ondo State Police Command has said it would muster about 24,000 police personnel for next month’s governorship election in the state.

This is even as political parties have agreed to a deal to keep the peace before, during and after the election.

The state commissioner of police, Hilda Harrison, who coordinated the signing of the peace pact on Wednesday in Akure, warned politicians against using their supporters to cause a breach of the peace during the election.

She said the signing of the agreement became necessary to prevent violence and maintain law and order and peace before, during and after the election.

She said it would also deter political parties and politicians from engaging in acts that would jeopardize the political stability of the state, as well as the national security of Nigeria.

Mrs. Harrison warned against removing opponents’ posters, noting that some ugly incidents resulting from the practice had been witnessed in the state.

She said there were reports of shooting during campaign rallies, declaring that such was unacceptable, urging politicians to avoid using dangerous weapons during campaigns.

“Play the game by the rules and stay away from trouble and be a law abiding citizen for peace to be sustained in our state,” she cautioned.

“Do not take laws into your hands, report those destroying posters to the security agents.”

The police commissioner said about 24,000 police officer would be deployed for the election.

She urged politicians and political parties to run issue- based campaigns during the election urging them to refrain from campaign of “calumny, religious sentiment, ethnic chauvinism or tribal jingoism.”

Responding on behalf of other political parties, Fatai Adams, of the Peoples Democracy Party, thanked the police boss for her commitment to peaceful election in the state.

He said that all political parties’ agents and that of the candidates should be allowed at the collation centres, to give room for transparency and avert anything that could bring chaos during and after the election.