At a stakeholders meeting held on Friday, political parties in Ekiti State signed a memorandum of understanding to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, the MoU organised by the Nigeria Police Force in Ado Ekiti is aimed at avoiding scars of agony, discord and enmity during and after the election.
He expressed worries that politicians these days cared less about the credibility of elections.
“All that matters to them is attainment of political office, somehow and anyhow. More worrisome is the instigation of violence by political office seekers that sometimes lead to loss of lives, physical injuries and destruction of properties.
“It is disheartening that while most of us treasure and pamper our children and wards, we exploit the ignorance, poverty and the myopic view of other people’s children using them to carry arms, cutlasses and various weapons to fight our perceived political opponents. This without mincing words is a sin against humanity and against God.”
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 8, Christopher Dega, at the event stressed the need for the election to be free of rancor, acrimony, I’ll feelings, bad blood and other things that could undermine the credibility of the election. “The Inspector General of Police (Suleiman Abba) has advised on the need to maintain decorum, exercise caution and restraint as we go into the election. It is important you play the game according to the rules.”
According to Punch, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti, Mr. Sam Olumekun, advised politicians against killing people to occupy public offices.
Governor Ayodele Fayose, at the event assured of purposeful leadership to promote peace.
He said, “Four years is a short time in the life of a man. I won’t muzzle anybody. If you abuse me, I will abuse you back, it is all politics. If you abuse me and I can’t abuse you, I will look for somebody to abuse you.
“For a system to work, the leader must key into it. I will key into the peace process. I will respect and do everything to ensure it works.
“For this election, nobody will muzzle another person. I won’t ask for favour from the police. If my party won an election about six months ago, I do not have to muzzle anybody to win an election. I only need to improve on my chances.” (Punch).