Political parties and key stakeholders in Jigawa State have signed a peace accord to ensure a peaceful, credible, and violence-free electoral process ahead of upcoming elections. The agreement was reached during a strategic meeting held on Thursday at the state police headquarters, convened by Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala. The gathering included representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), registered political parties, party executives, and media practitioners.
CP Tijjani Murtala emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, mutual respect, and political tolerance among all participants in the electioneering period. He stressed that the meeting’s primary goal was to foster an environment where political activities are conducted without violence or intimidation. The commissioner urged political leaders to take full responsibility for their supporters’ actions, warning against hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric, vote-buying, thuggery, intimidation, and destruction of campaign materials.
He assured all stakeholders that the Jigawa State Police Command would deploy adequate security measures to safeguard public order before, during, and after the elections. This commitment includes maintaining law and order across all local government areas and ensuring the safety of voters, candidates, party agents, and electoral officials. The commissioner called on citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could threaten peace.
The INEC delegation, led by its Administrative Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Idris, echoed the call for strict compliance with electoral laws and guidelines. They reminded political parties of their legal obligations and the need to conduct campaigns within the framework of democratic principles. The commission also reiterated its readiness to deliver free and fair elections, provided all actors uphold their responsibilities.
Following the address, political parties present formally signed the peace accord, pledging their commitment to peaceful political engagement and the rejection of violence. The document serves as a binding promise to uphold democratic values and ensure that the electoral process is not marred by conflict or misconduct. The police command described the signing as a significant milestone in building trust and unity among stakeholders.
Residents were encouraged to view the election as a contest of ideas and policies rather than a battle for dominance. The message from both security and electoral authorities was clear: democracy must be protected through dialogue, respect, and adherence to the rule of law. As Nigeria prepares for critical electoral activities, this peace accord in Jigawa State sets a positive precedent for other states to follow.
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