Ahead of coming 2023 general Elections, Twelve political parties in Ogun state have signed a peace accord with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
The peace accord was signed on Tuesday during the commission’s stakeholders forum held at Cinimal Hall, June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the state capital.
The parties include, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) amongst others.
Earlier, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olaniyi Ijalaye appealed to all the political parties in the state to educate their followers on the need to shun electoral violence in the coming polls.
Ijalaye said INEC has put necessary measures in place, including training of security personnel to make sure that the coming exercise goes hitch-free.
He noted that the commission has equally sensitized community leaders to assist the INEC officials in getting voters involved in checking their exact polling units.
He said “Security personnel have been trained to keep peace during the elections. The commission has sent soft copy of voters register to each political party in the state.
“We appeal to all political parties to educate their followers on the need to allow peace to reign and know that election is not a do or die affair.
He added “We seek the indulgence of the people of Ogun state to please cooperate with us on the days of election. Vote peacefully, promote peaceful elections and ensure that peace prevails even after results are announced.
In attendance at the stakeholders forum were bosses of security agencies, traditional rulers, human rights bodies, representative of Nigeria youths and representatives of political parties.