Ugwuanyi tasks political parties on peaceful polls

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Wednesday, called on the political parties registered to participate in the forthcoming general election to allow peace to reign.

Ugwuanyi made this call in a meeting during which the political parties signed the 2019 general election peace accord in Enugu.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, said the aim of the meeting was to sign the peace accord to ensure free, fair and credible 2019 general election.

“We want the forthcoming election to be free, fair, credible and peaceful; that is why all the political parties need to endorse the peace accord.

First, let us not allow personal interest to deny the state its prevailing peaceful atmosphere and I wish to thank the British High Commissioner for his sponsorship of this peace accord.

Enugu has been a peaceful state and I do not want the forthcoming election to divide us, so it is our duty to carry this massage to our various localities,’’ she said.,

In his advice, His Royal Highness (HRH) Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo, said that he had been working with the police and other security agencies to ensure the success of the election.

“I want to ensure you all that I, and other royal fathers in the state will continue to work with the security agencies before, during and after the election to ensure peace.

“It is worthy to know that the people in Enugu State are peace loving citizens,’’ the royal father said.

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Enugu chapter, Mr Rex Arum, urged security agencies in the state to raise their strategies of security to ensure a peaceful election.

He promised that journalists in the state would discharge their duties without compromise and also cooperate with the security agencies to ensure a successful and credible election.

Our correspondent reports that the two major political parties in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates as well as their party chairmen were present.

The 2019 general elections have been slated to hold on February 16 for Presidential and National Assembly candidates and March 2 for Governorship and House of Assembly flag bearers.