The ruling People’s Democratic Party and the All Progressives
Congress in Ondo State on Tuesday refused to show up at a
peace meeting of political stakeholders called by the state
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Isaac Eke.
Also absent at the meeting were the Chairman of the state
council of Obas, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Adesimbo
Kiladejo, the General Officer Commanding 323 artillery brigade
and other registered political parties.
President of Market Women association, Chief Juliana
Ogunsusi, Chief Ruth Olowookere, youth associations and
drivers’ unions also did not come for the meeting.
However, the representative of the Independent National
Electoral Commission arrived on time for the meeting which
was slated for 11am.
The meeting was expected to extract a commitment of peace
for the general elections from the political parties as had been
done in other states.
The Assistant Inspector General in charge of zone 11, Mr.
Ikemefuna Okoye, while reacting to the absence of the
stakeholders, blamed the shift of the election date from
February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 for the
development.
Okoye said the meeting among the major political parties,
security agencies and other stakeholders had been fixed long
before the postponement of the election, hence the low turn
out of those invited.
He however said he was not disappointed as the meeting
would be rescheduled to ensure broader participation by the
relevant stakeholders.
“The Police in the zone are ready to ensure peaceful conduct
of the elections and politicians and political parties should
play the game according to the rules and shun any act of
violence,” he said.
Mr. Eke, on his part, said as the core agency saddled with the
responsibility for internal security, it was the command’s
responsibility to champion the stakeholders’ meeting in
ensuring peaceful, credible, fair and violence-free election.
Eke assured that adequate security would be provided for
INEC staff, materials, ad-hoc staff, party agents, electorates
and election observers before, during and after the election.
The Police boss advised candidates for the election to foster
peace within and outside their communities and create
enabling environment where electoral best practices would
thrive.
He added that the police would not hesitate to deal decisively
with political thugs who try to abuse the electoral process.
