Ahead of 2023 general elections, the Benue state police command has entered into peace agreements with various political parties in the state to carry out their campaigns in a peaceful manner.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, who met with representatives of various parties in his office, at the command headquarters in Makurdi tasked them to ensure their activities are devoid of violence.
He explained that the aim of the meeting was to provide an enabling environment for all the political parties to carry out their activities in a peaceful manner.
The police commissioner who noted that the command will ensure that the set rules guiding electoral processes is observed to the letter said “I have asked them to sign an undertaking. It’s an MOU saying that all of us are going to work together for one goal which is peace. We need peace in Benue everybody do what they want to do without being molested.
“I have asked for their itinerary so that we can avoid friction where one party will be have campaign here and another party will be thinking of having campaigns in the same venue. This kind of thing will bring about friction.
He stated that the police do no belong anyone but to all Nigerians assuring that all the parties will be treated equally.
He urged the party leaders to go back and educate their members and supporters especially the youths to avoid acts of violence as it will create more problems.
According to him, a pool of combat ready police officers are being trained for quick response unit to enable the command respond to issues across the state.
CP Abass warned those in the habit of destroying campaign materials; posters, billboards to desire from such act saying “I have sounded that note of warning to everybody. Once you are arrested, it’s not a question of anybody coming to appeal to the CP, if you are arrested, you must face the wrath of law.”
Representatives of the political parties, in their separate remarks, pledged commitment to the peace pact saying and commended the police for the move.
The state acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Emmanuel Mffo and state chairman of All Progressives Party, APC, Austin Agada, described the meeting timely, and a welcome development.
While Mffo urged all parties to observe the rules of the game for the sake of brotherliness and interest of Benue state, Agada who pledged total commitment to the peace accord urged the police to treat as criminals, those who will take it upon themselves to breach the peace in the state.