Political parties and other stakeholders in Jigawa State have signed a peace accord ahead of the forthcoming electioneering campaigns and electoral processes in the state.
The accord was signed on Thursday during a strategic meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala, with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), chairmen of registered political parties, party executives and media practitioners.
Addressing the stakeholders, CP Tijjani Murtala called for collective responsibility, mutual respect, political tolerance and strict adherence to electoral laws throughout the electioneering period.
He said the meeting was aimed at promoting peaceful, credible and violence-free political activities across the state.
He urged political leaders to caution their supporters against acts capable of undermining peace and public order, including hate speech, inflammatory statements, vote-buying, thuggery, intimidation, destruction of campaign materials and other forms of electoral malpractice.
The commissioner assured political parties, candidates, supporters, electoral officials and members of the public that the command would provide adequate security and maintain law and order before, during and after the elections.
The INEC delegation, led by its Administrative Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Idris, also urged political parties and other stakeholders to comply with electoral laws, rules and guidelines.
The participating political parties subsequently signed the peace accord, reaffirming their commitment to peaceful political engagement, respect for democratic values and the rejection of violence throughout the electoral process.
The command described the accord as a significant demonstration of the collective commitment of political actors and stakeholders to preserving the peace and security of Jigawa State.
It called on residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and vigilant, while urging political parties and their supporters to see the electoral process as a contest of ideas and programmes rather than a conflict.