Some gubernatorial candidates in Bauchi state, on Wednesday, signed a peace accord towards ensuring a rancour free election in the state.
Speaking shortly after the signing of the peace accord at the state Police Headquarters, the governorship candidates promised to play by the rules of the game.
Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state who is seeking a second term in office under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said they have all signed and are committed to peace.
He said that they would ensure that they stem down the peace accord on their supporters for them to also be extremely peaceful during and after the election.
“We have already told the electoral umpire to be just and equitable to make sure that their logistics are correct, to make sure they don’t use their federal might to brutalise and sectionalise the election.
“We also told them to make sure there are no sacred cows, ensure that the BVAS works and when it works, they should ensure that correct data is carried and of course, we have gotten firm commitment from them.
“So, it’s a win-win situation from both sides and as you can hear from other contestants, we are all committed to peace and peace is something that is based on justice.
“We are looking for justice and from our party, the People’s Democratic Party, we will make sure that the election is rancour free,” said the governor.
Also speaking, Mr Haliru Jika, the gubernatorial candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state, said that his party was law abiding and assured that it would play by the rules of the game, come what may.
On their parts, the gubernatorial candidates of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) as well as the deputy gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Ahmed Farouk and Shehu Musa, also said that they had reminded the security agencies that peace was not the absence of violence but the presence of justice.
They called on the security personnel to be fair and just to all the political parties and expressed their readiness to abide by the peace accord signed.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Aminu Alhassan had read the dos and don’t of the game and urged all the candidates not to violate any electoral laws as strong punishment would be taken against anybody found wanting.