The Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, former Governor Timipre Sylva and candidates for other political parties in the state, Tuesday , signed a peace accord about 25 days to the December 5 governorship election.
The candidates documented their commitments to ensuring a peaceful and violence-free governorship poll at a brief ceremony that was held in Yenagoa.
Dickson, candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Sylva, standard bearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC) personally signed the pact alongside 18 other candidates and their party chairmen.
The signing was witnessed by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, who was represented by INEC National Commissioner, North-West, Mrs. Amina Zakari.
The event was also witnessed by the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State, Mr. Nasiru Oki; State Director, Department of State Security (DSS) Ade Oluseso; state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Baritor Kpagih; traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
Yakubu, in his address read by Zakari, said INEC was closely monitoring the activities of the parties, candidates and supporters in line with the commission’s mandate.
He said most of the activities and campaigns were going on peacefully in accordance with extant laws, rules and regulations.
He, however, pointed out that there were reports and unsubstantiated allegations of breaches of peace.
Yakubu said: “This peace pact is not the idea of INEC or the United Nations Development Programme, it is the initiative with the support of the good people of Bayelsa state, and INEC is only the facilitator.
“We are not unmindful of the fact that the success of this Peace Accord however depends on the zeal and commitment of the signatories to see it work. We admonish the candidates to live up to their commitment and obligations to ensure its respect and enforcement.”
The INEC chairman also stated the determination of the commission to provide a level playing field for all parties.
Yakubu added that the commission would be fair to all and would apply the laws without fear or favour.
In their separate remarks, Dickson and Sylva, thanked INEC and the facilitators for the initiative.
They expressed their disapprovals with the waves of violence orchestrated by supporters of the contending parties.
They, however, reiterated their commitment to abide by the peace accord, and promised to sensitize their supporters and followers on the need for a peaceful and violence free election.
