Danzumi Ishaku, Jalingo
Taraba Governor Darius Ishaku, governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Hajiya Aisha Alhassan, the immediate past Minister of Women Affairs and candidate of United Democratic Party (UDP), Alhaji Sani Danladi of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Thursday failed to appear before the peace accord signing ceremony.
The signing of the peace accord took place at the Taraba State Police Command headquarters in Jalingo.
Though the three top governorship contenders were absent at the occasion, 14 other governorship candidates, including Mr. Kefas Sule of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) who is contesting on the platform of All Blended Party (ABP) signed the peace pact.
Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Akinremi who presided over the signing of the peace accord said the aim was to commit the governorship for peaceful conduct of the election.
“We can not as a nation move forward if we fail to promote peace. I want to appeal to you stakeholders to shun violence.
“If contesting election is for the sake of service, then there will be no need for violence before, during and after election,” he said.
Akinremi pledged that the Police and other security agencies will be neutral and to give all parties equal protection before, during after the election, even as he urged the parties to conduct themselves well and avoid violence. Resident Electoral Commissioner for Taraba, Alhaji Baba Yusuf pledged the determination and commitment of the umpire to give all parties level playing ground.
Responding on behalf of the candidates, Mr. Kefas Sule of All Blending Party (ABP) thanked the security agencies for the initiative and pledged the resolution of the candidates to stand by what they have signed. Sule called on those who were absent at the signing to make efforts to sign the accord with a view to having a peaceful election in the state. Our correspondent reports that Governor Darius Ishaku and Sen. Alhassan Alhassan sent represented but were turn down, with the officials insisting that all candidate must sign in person, while the candidate of the APC, Alh. Sani Danladi was not represented.
