Police warn political parties against violence in Cross River

By Benson Ezugwu

#TrackNigeria: Mr Hafiz Ringim, Commissioner of Police in Cross River, has warned political parties and their candidates against any form of violence before, during and after the upcoming general elections in the state.

Ringim gave the warning at the signing of Peace Accord by political parties and their candidates on Friday in Ccalabar.

The event was organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conjunction with Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Security (ICCES).

Ringim, who is the Chairman of ICCES in the state, said all the relevant security agencies in the state had been trained and were ready to counter any threat to security before, during and after the elections.

“We are here to preach peace as enshrined in all religious books. There is no society that can progress without peace. Let us have a peaceful election in the interest of ourselves; our state; and our country.

“We in ICCES will not compromise. Thuggery, violence, ballot box snatching, hooliganism will not be tolerated.

“The peace pact you are signing is a commitment. On no account will you allow your supporters to carry offensive weapons, even catapult during campaigns.

“Our men have been trained to meet all security challenges before, during and after the elections,” he said.

He appealed to the parties and their candidates to change their attitude towards elections in the interest of the country.

The commissioner added that all the security agencies had resolved to be neutral in the elections.

“Please let us collectively do our best to demonstrate to the World that we are responsible as a nation,” he said.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Frankland Briyai, said the commission had concluded every arrangement to ensure credible polls.

Briyai said all the gray areas had been taken care of by the commission to ensure that every eligible voter voted in the election.

“I, therefore, appeal to you to mobilise your supporters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, educate them not to sell their votes,” he said.

He  urged them to send names of their party agents for accreditation as the deadline was close.

Speaking on behalf of the political parties, Mr Eyo Ekpo, governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said the parties were ready for peaceful elections.

NAN reports that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was absent during the signing of the peace accord. (NAN)