Five political parties and their candidates contesting Saturday, February 3, 2024, rerun elections for Ikono/Ini House of Representatives and Ibịono Ibom State Assembly seats have signed a peace accord in Akwa Ibom State.
The peace pact was signed at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s State Headquarters in Uyo by Glory Edet of the People’s Democratic Party and Effiong Ekpenyong of the Accord Party for the House of Representatives seat.
Others who also signed the accord were Mr Ezekiel Ekerete of the Action Democratic Party, Alphonsus Okon (Esq) of the Labour Party and Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo of the Young Progressives Party
For the Ibịono Ibom State Assembly seat, Moses Easien of the YPP and Godwin Ekpo of the PDP, major contenders, were among those who signed the peace pact.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Isah Ehimeakhe, while addressing stakeholders, called all parties to be committed to the accord they signed
He said, “The Commission expects all political parties and candidates involved in this election to affirm, respect and be committed to peaceful elections.
“I am optimistic that the outcome of this Peace Accord will produce positive result for the election. Without peace the safety of personnel, security of materials and above all, credibility of the election will be undermined.
“On our part, the Commission is committed to the conduct of this election and has put everything in place for a successful outcome. Both sensitive and non-sensitive materials are in correct proportion.
“Personnel for the election have been well trained to carry out their respective functions. The use of BVAS is a must in this election. I assure all Candidates that all result sheets will be endorsed by me.
“In addition the vote of all eligible voters in the affected Polling Units in Ikono, Ini and lbiono lbom LGAs will count. Since this is third time, the Commission will be conducting election in lkono/Ini Federal Constituency and the second time in lbiono lbom State Constituency.
“I firmly solicit that Candidates and Political Parties involved in the Re-run election do everything within their powers to ensure that we have peaceful election. Note that Nigerians are watching us, the world is watching us and we must never disappoint them.”
Speaking after the signing ceremony, the State Chairman of the PDP, Elder Aniekan Akpan, appealed to the electorates involved in the Saturday re-run to be peaceful, stressing, “We don’t want any infractions because of the run-off election.”
INEC will conduct re-run and bye-elections simultaneously in nine states on Saturday, February 3, 2024.
