No fewer than 20 political parties in Zamfara have signed a peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging commitment to peaceful and credible polls.
The accord was signed on Tuesday during an Election Security Summit organised by the Zamfara Police Command in Gusau.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmad Bello, warned that the command would deal decisively with anyone inciting violence, engaging in vote buying or destroying opponents’ campaign materials.
Bello said the initiative followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police to ensure peaceful, credible and violence-free elections.
“We are public servants, not public bosses, but we will not tolerate lawlessness,” he said.
The commissioner described Zamfara as the most troubled state in the North-West, warning against adding electoral violence to the security challenges posed by banditry.
“We cannot afford to add electoral violence to banditry. Every candidate must caution his supporters,” Bello said.
He disclosed that tactical teams had been deployed across the state’s 14 local government areas, while intelligence gathering had been intensified.
Bello urged political actors to embrace dialogue, avoid hate speech and report threats promptly through the command’s emergency lines or its Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar.
He said the accord was binding and warned that violations could attract prosecution under the Electoral Act.
The agreement involved chairmen and candidates of all registered political parties contesting governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections.
The summit, held at Tola Arena in Gusau, brought together party leaders, candidates, security agencies and other stakeholders.
Candidates representing the participating parties pledged to honour the agreement and cooperate with security agencies to protect lives and property during campaigns.
The Zamfara chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for a level playing field, urging the police to remain neutral and professional.
Representatives of the Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) also pledged to sensitise supporters.
They said the exercise would extend to rural communities, particularly volatile areas such as Dansadau, Kaura Namoda, Bukkuyum and Maradun.
Bello said copies of the signed accord would be displayed at the state police headquarters and forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Zamfara.
The Commissioner of Police also urged journalists, religious leaders and traditional rulers to support peace advocacy ahead of the election campaigns.
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