By Stanley Nwanosike
The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, on Thursday assured the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission of a peaceful and violence-free election in Enugu State.
Danmallam gave the assurance while receiving the Liaison Officer of the Mission in Nigeria, Viadimir Staicu, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Police Headquarters, Enugu.
The commissioner, who thanked them for the visit, said that a lot had been done in preparation for the general elections in the state.
He said that some activities were being put in place to ensure effective security coverage of the state and peaceful elections.
He said that the command had embarked on several workshops and seminars including town hall meetings to sensitise all relevant stakeholders on the need to play the game according to the rules devoid of bitterness and rancour.
He further explained that the command just concluded its stakeholders meeting on election security and signing of Peace Accord by all political parties’ chairmen, their candidates and supporters in the state on Jan. 9.
“In the Peace Accord Security Summit, we reminded the political stakeholders and actors on the need to keep the peace and to play the game according to the laid down rules,’’ he said.
FROM RIGHT: The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, Viadimir Staicu, the Liaison Officer, the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission, during a courtesy visit to the Police Headquarters, Enugu.
Earlier, Staicu, who came with his liaison officer assistant, Fidelis Usanga, said that the visit was to find out the readiness of the state police command for the forthcoming general elections.
“We want to know your level of preparedness as it concerns security and peaceful election,’’ he said.
He lauded the efforts of the command for a robust stakeholders’ engagement that would bring about a peaceful election in the state and its environs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some major political parties on Wednesday, Jan. 9, signed the peace accord agreements.
APC, PDP, UPP and UDP among others, signed the agreement.
NAN reports that parties and candidates that were absent at the ceremony, were advised to visit the police command headquarters to sign.
The meeting was attended by various security agencies, traditional rulers, representatives of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), journalists and other stakeholders. (NAN)
