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Ahead of February’s general election, leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and 23 other registered political parties in Kwara State have signed a peace pact with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure peaceful conducts during and after the elections. The peace meeting was organized by INEC and hosted at the state headquarters of INEC at Adewole area in Ilorin. 25 out of 57 leaders of the registered parties in the state were in attendance. The peace deal, according to reports gathered by Vanguard, may not be connected to Sunday’s crisis that rocked Ilorin and claimed a life and properties worth millions of Naira, leaving many badly injured. INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Attahiru Garba said, “Leaders of the parties should see themselves as one family and shun all actions that may lead to any crisis before, during and after the polls. I am very worried that Kwara State that is known for peace and regarded as state of harmony is now turned to state of violence. “Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in existence as result of political parties. No INEC without political parties, and I urge all political parties to talk to their supporters to follow rule and regulations of the game. “It is God that gives power and power is for service delivery to the people. We should desist from campaign of calumny and engage in Issues based campaign”. Garba further revealed that 1,100,600 permanent voters’ cards had been distributed in the state, disclosing that a total of 1,406,600 voters registered in Kwara. Amongst political leaders that attended the peace meeting were leader of National Working Committee (NWC); APC, Bashr Bolarinwa; representatives of PDP; Labour Party; Kowa Party; Social Democratic Party; Action Alliance and Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party.
By: Anne Clement Bassey