As part of efforts to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free elections, 32 governorship candidates in Benue State have signed a peace pact, Hembadoon Orsar reports.
The Independent Electoral Commission(INEC) in Benue state has prepared the ground for a hitch- free election in the state, as it midwived the signing of a peace pact by 32 candidates of various political parties jostling to occupy the Makurdi Government House in May, this year.
The main goal of the peace pact is to curb the excesses of politicians before during, and after the coming general elections in the state.
The Resident Electoral commissioner in the state, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda said the peace pact which was organised by the INEC Center for Humanitarian Dialogue was to nip in the bud what happened during the 2015 general elections, where three INEC offices were set ablaze by hoodlums while some staff were held hostage and one died in the process.
“The electoral umpire body lost one of its staff from those that were held hostage and three of our offices in Ogbadibo, Logo and Konshisha were set ablaze, so we don’t want a repeat of such a thing.
“We created this forum for all those aspiring for the position of governorship in the state to commit themselves by signing the peace agreement, because the electoral umpire has lost some of its staff to electoral violence, hence the need to invite candidates to sign the peace pact”.
Chairman, Benue state Council of Chiefs, Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse has placed a curse on any politician who would cause violence in the state before, during or after the 2019 general elections.
“The traditional institution is committed to peace because we are at the receiving end. Whoever wants to cause chaos, the land will be against such a person,” the Tor Tiv stated.
The Tor Tiv spoke during the signing of peace pact by governorship candidates of all political parties in the state.
He also stressed the need for all candidates of the various political parties in the state to go about their campaigns and elections in a peaceful manner.
He explained that the programme was a right step in the right direction, stressing that Benue state desired peace more than any other state in the country after all it had been through in the last one year.
Read Also:
“We are here to talk about peace ahead of the forthcoming general elections. If there is any people who desire peace, it is Benue. We have suffered a lot. That is why we are talking peace.
“We, as traditional rulers live with the people and we know the pains they go through. We feel the pain when we are faced with violence. We are totally committed to peace in Benue and we are prepared to pay the price to ensure peace.
“That is why we have taken the step to be apolitical in our dealings. We have suffered long enough. The ceremony is important but the action that follows is more important. The peace pact should not end on papers but must be translated to real action.
He urged all the candidates to base their campaigns on issues rather than attacking one another, even as he called on INEC and security agencies to ensure a credible, free and fair elections.
“We must be committed to playing by the rules. The political campaigns must be issue-based. The election umpire must be seen by their actions and inactions to show that they are neutral. The security agencies must not be seen to take sides. These are all important.
“There must be exceptional commitment to peace. We must avoid thuggery. I am therefore appealing to politicians to avoid thuggery.
“It’s important that when elections are held, people will accept the results. When people don’t accept the result, we will have challenges. So, there must be equity, fairness and openness in the conduct of the election.”
The paramount ruler vowed that any Benue son or daughter who would want to breach the peace initiative would be swallowed by the land.
While encouraging his colleagues in the race to imbibe the culture of peace, Governor Samuel Ortom who spoke on behalf of the candidates cautioned politicians against recruiting youths as thugs for the forthcoming general elections.
He commended INEC Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue for such a wonderful initiative, saying, it will go a long way in enlightening candidates.
“I want to tell INEC that achieving sustainable peace is sorely in the hands of INEC and security agencies, who must define their roles in the elections by not siding any political party or being bias as well as ensuring that the rule of law prevails.”
