As part of proactive measures to forestall violence before, during and after the forthcoming general elections, candidates contesting for various elective positions in Abia State on Wednesday signed a peace accord.

The exercise, which was supervised by the Zone 9 Police Command, had in attendance governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly candidates from six different political parties.

Participants at the event agreed to undertake peaceful electioneering campaigns and accept the outcome of the elections.

The participating parties were the All Progressives Congress led by its governorship candidate, Chief Anyim Nyerere; the People’s Democratic Party, led by its state Chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka; and the All Progressives Grand Alliance represented by the Deputy Governorship candidate, Dr. Uche Eme-Uche.

Others were the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria led by its governorship candidate, Mr. Obioma Onyeaghala; Peoples Progressives Alliance represented the governorship candidate, Chief Chinkwe Udensi.

The participants at the event were unanimous in their call for a level playing field for all parties by the security agencies.

They also harped on the need for all parties to be granted unhindered access to government facilities including public places for campaign rallies as well as government radio and television stations.

State chairmen of the parties also signed on belief of their respective parties while each party nominated a senatorial and House of Representatives candidate to sign on behalf of others.

The peace document which was read by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, enjoined the politicians to comport themselves in an orderly manner and to accept the outcome of the elections in good faith.

Source: PUNCH