By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
Five political parties in Gombe State have signed a peace accord committing themselves to peaceful and orderly conduct during the forthcoming by-election and the 2027 general elections.
The accord was signed on Tuesday evening at the headquarters of the Gombe State Police Command during a meeting organised by the command to promote peaceful political activities ahead of the elections.
The parties pledged to conduct their campaigns in accordance with the law and refrain from violence, thuggery, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of undermining the electoral process.
Presenting the articles of the accord, the State Legal Officer of the Gombe Police Command, CSP Thomas Umeadi, said the parties agreed “to conduct 2027 general election campaigns in a peaceful, orderly and democratic manner, and to refrain from acts of violence, thuggery, intimidation and destruction of property before, during and after election.”
The parties also committed themselves to complying with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including the Electoral Act 2026 and other relevant legislation.
They agreed to give at least 48 hours’ notice before organising any political rally, procession or meeting, while accepting responsibility for the conduct of their supporters and agents.
The accord also prohibits hate speech, incitement, fake news and campaigns based on ethnic, religious or regional sentiments.
The parties were further required to channel grievances arising from the electoral process through lawful means and cooperate with security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, CP Umar Chuso, warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against acts capable of breaching the peace.
Chuso said anyone found committing offences during political activities would be made to face the law, stressing that the police command would not condone lawlessness.
He urged political parties to caution their supporters, particularly youths, against being used to perpetrate violence, assuring that the police would continue to discharge their responsibilities professionally and diligently.
The CP also assured all political parties and candidates of the neutrality of the police during the electoral process, urging those with complaints to properly document and present them through lawful channels.
“We will remain neutral. Anyone who feels cheated should present a petition supported by facts, and we will take it seriously,” he said.
The Chairman of the Labour Party in the state, Hon. Robinson Wasa, commended the police command for organising the peace meeting and urged security agencies to strengthen efforts towards ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
He called for fairness and equal treatment of all political parties and candidates, stressing that the credibility of the election depended largely on the impartiality of institutions responsible for its conduct and security.
Similarly, the State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abubakar Adamu Sambo, called for justice, fairness and peaceful coexistence among political actors irrespective of party affiliation.
Sambo urged the police to treat all political parties and candidates equally before, during and after the elections, stressing that peace must remain the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
Representing the All Progressives Congress, APC, Murtala Mohammed described Gombe as a state known for peace and assured that the party would caution its members against actions capable of disrupting the electoral process.
He said the APC, as the governing party in the state, remained committed to peaceful political engagement and would not shield any member found to have committed a criminal offence.
Mohammed also urged INEC to intensify sensitisation of political parties and stakeholders to strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
Speaking on behalf of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Mrs Glory Usman commended the initiative and called for fairness, justice and transparency before, during and after the election.
She stressed the need for all stakeholders to work towards ensuring an electoral process free from intimidation and violence.
A Labour Party member also commended the police command and raised concerns over an alleged incident in Talasse, Balanga Local Government Area, urging the authorities to investigate the matter.
The speaker stressed that the peace meeting was not an avenue for trading accusations but an opportunity for stakeholders to identify challenges and find solutions ahead of the forthcoming by-election.
A civil society representative, Abubakar Ibrahim Waziri, also called on security agencies and other stakeholders to remain neutral and prevent thuggery, intimidation and other forms of electoral violence.
He urged political parties to sensitise their members and supporters, particularly youths, on the need to respect the law and allow the electoral process to proceed peacefully.
The stakeholders reaffirmed that the peace accord was aimed at ensuring that the forthcoming by-election and subsequent elections in Gombe State are conducted without political intimidation, hate speech, thuggery, threats or destruction of property.
They pledged to respect the outcome of the electoral process and seek redress through established legal channels whenever disputes arise.
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