In the wake of heightened anticipation surrounding the Supreme Court’s impending judgment on the 2023 governorship election in Nasarawa State, the state’s police command has taken a significant step by signing a peace agreement with leaders from both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the peace pact signing ceremony in Lafia on Monday, Commissioner of Police Umar Nadada delivered a stern warning, pledging decisive actions against anyone instigating trouble before, during, or after the court’s decision.
The political landscape of Nasarawa State has been tumultuous since the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal overturned the victory of Governor Abdullahi Sule of the APC, declaring David Ombugadu of the PDP as the rightful winner.
Governor Sule appealed the tribunal’s decision, ultimately securing a favorable judgment from the Court of Appeal, triggering an appeal by the PDP candidate to the Supreme Court for the final resolution.
Addressing the peace meeting, Commissioner Nadada emphasized, “This meeting is aimed at ensuring peace before, during, and after the Supreme Court judgment. It is also expected that the party leaders will bring this peace agreement to all their loyalists and supporters across the state.”
Expressing concerns about potential unrest, Nadada added, “Information at the disposal of the command reveals that some faceless individuals are planning to stage a violent protest in the state. Whoever goes against this peace agreement, no matter how highly placed in society, will regret his or her action.”
Assuring impartiality, Nadada affirmed that the joint security forces would maintain neutrality in their operations. The peace accord ceremony included the presence of various state security agencies.
Representatives from both the APC and the PDP attended the event. The APC was represented by the state chairman, Aliyu Bello, and the APC state secretary, Yarus Dakusa, while the PDP delegation included the state organizing secretary, Yahaya Bunu, the state secretary, Adamu Bako, the woman leader, Stella Oboshi, and the PDP zonal chairman, Isa Sule.
