Tight security as Anambra guber candidates sign Peace Accord

There was heavy security presence when governorship candidates of the November 6 poll in Anambra state signed a peace accord.

The candidates signed the accord at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital, on Thursday.

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Among those who signed the accord were Mr. Valentine Ozigbo of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Andy Uba, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Dr. Godwin Maduka of the Accord Party.

The peace accord signing was facilitated by the National Peace Committee, Abuja, headed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

In his address, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said t “without peace, our deployment plans, new innovations in result management, safety of personnel, security of materials and above all, credibility of elections will be undermined.

According to him, the Commission was committed to conducting a transparent and credible election.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba Alkali, represented by DIG in charge of Operation, Mr. Zaki Ahmed, said that peace must be maintained before, during and after the Anambra election.

The Chairman of the Peace Committee, General Abdulsami Abubakar (rtd), former Head of State, in address said that the signing of Peace Accord by the governorship candidates was “a way of reaffirming that they must conduct themselves in a professional and peaceful manner ahead of the Governorship election.

“With what I have seen here, in Anambra state, I believe, Anambra will witness a free, fair and credible election,” he said.

Abdulsalami appealed to concerned stakeholders to cooperate with INEC and other security agencies for a free exercise.

Others who were present at the signing were Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah, State security Chiefs, Party State Chairmen, supporters and traditional rulers.