Political actors contesting in the upcoming Niger State local government elections have pledged to maintain peace and decorum by signing a joint peace accord aimed at ensuring a credible and violence-free process.
The accord binds all parties to avoid hate speech, inflammatory language, and any acts that could trigger unrest, with a focus on promoting peaceful engagement throughout the election period.
The peace agreement binds all parties to conduct themselves responsibly, avoiding hate speech, religious bias, or any actions that could trigger unrest.
The event, convened by the Niger State Police Command, took place at the Police Officers’ Mess in Minna, where Commissioner of Police Adamu Elleman presided over the stakeholders’ meeting.
Representatives of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), security agencies, and other political actors were also in attendance.
Speaking during the event, Elleman reaffirmed the police command’s readiness to act impartially, noting that security agencies are committed to ensuring a fair and credible exercise.
He stressed that the police would remain neutral, emphasizing that the security apparatus is fully prepared to safeguard the integrity of the entire electoral process.
“We are determined to protect lives, property, and the integrity of the elections without fear or favour,” he said, urging youths to shun violence and resist being used as political tools.
NSIEC Chairman Mohammed Imam outlined the commission’s readiness for the November 1 polls, revealing that elections will be held for 25 council chairmanship seats and 274 councillorship positions across 4,950 polling units.
He added that the electoral body had put in place a 15-point operational guideline to guarantee transparency and orderliness.
Also, IPAC Chairman Isah Makujeri commended both the police and NSIEC for their coordination and proactive measures.
He expressed confidence that the exercise would be peaceful, adding: “With the level of commitment shown by all stakeholders, Niger is set to witness one of its most credible local government elections.”
