As the April general elections begin on Saturday April 2, 2011, politicians in Kebbi state have pledged to work towards a peaceful election in the state.

The chairmen of Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Mansur Shehu and the Congress For Progressive Change, Alhaji Suleiman Mohammed made the pledge in Abuja shortly after a marathon meeting with the director general of the State Security Service, Mr Ekpenyong Ita at the underground cell of the service.

The ten-man group made up of five leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party and the Congress For Progressive Change, in a communiqu�, agreed to work with security agencies to ensure that perpetrators of political violence and criminal activities in Kebbi state are brought to book irrespective of their positions in the society.

While appealing to security agencies in Kebbi State not to allow themselves to be used for political violence, they also pledged not to promote any religion for political advantage.
The group further pledged not to engage in the destruction or defacing of bill-boards and posters in Kebbi State.

The five hour meeting was attended by a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the Congress for Progressive Change in Kebbi State Senator Adamu Aliero, pdp Chairman, Mansur Shehu and the CPC chairman, Suleiman Mohammed.

Others are Alhaji Sani Zauro [CPC] Suleiman Gwandu [CPC], Bala Na'alla [Cpc], Lawal Na Malam [Pdp] Alahaji Ali Bagudo [PDP], Alhaji Sani Rukuboloh [PDP] And Musa Illela [PDP].

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim has again warned politicians against the use of security personnel as escort to polling centres, saying any act of violence will be severely dealt with.

The IGP gave the warning while meeting with chairmen and secretaries of registered political parties at the force headquarters in Abuja.

Mr Ringim explained that measures to ensure a peaceful conduct of the April polls has been put in place and anyone caught trying to cause any form of unrest will be severely sanctioned.

He also warned that any police officer who disobeys the directive not to escort politicians to polling centres will be dealt with.

The IGP added that the security agents are fully prepared to provide security and a level playing ground for all political parties to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

He however appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), politicians and all major stake holders to cooperate with security agencies at ensuring a violence-free election.
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