About 23 days to the commencement of this year's general elections, the atmosphere has become tense with upsurge in violence in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, heightening fear that the scenarios that characterised the 2003 polls are in the offing. But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state made a deft move to nip the imminent crisis in the bud with peace accord designed for all political parties in the elections. AHMED 'LATEEF was at the brief but significant event held in Ilorin.

In the last couple of months, the ambience of Kwara State politics appeared to have been altered. Both the ruling party and opposition have been at loggerheads, pouncing on each other at slightest provocation.

The hitherto garb of political docility, an impression harboured in some quarters, has been jettisoned with gladiators in the arena of politics turning the atmosphere to a warfare of some sort.

Of 57 political parties expected to partake in the February 16 and March 2, 2019 presidential/national assembly and gubernatorial elections/state houses of assembly polls in the state, observers were of the view that less than five of them were seen exhibiting some level of seriousness to secure the mandate of the electorate.

Parties believed to be practically in the game include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and Accord with their governorship candidates.

However, in spite of the presence of the parties for the election, two of them known to be dominant, PDP and APC, have gone for each other's jugular. At every available opportunity, they pour invectives and engage in war of supremacy over which of the duo is positioned to rule the state.

And ever since INEC lifted embargo on campaign for the coming polls, the brickbats from the ruling and major opposition in the state became more virulent. Both parties took the advantage of their rallies and processions to send messages and woo prospective voters ahead of the elections.

As if the verbal war was not enough, the existing hostility between the two parties got escalated last week when suspected political thugs unleashed violence in some parts of Ilorin metropolis.

From Ita Ogunbo junction to Agbaji Quarters in Ilorin, the atmosphere was like a war zone. About 42 motor cars parked by their owners had their windscreens smashed while some vehicles and other valuables were also damaged in the process.

The gun wielding hoodlums, who stormed the scene in a commando style, shot sporadically and forced residents of the area stay indoor and others scampered for safety.

The incident, which left behind unmitigated loss and sorrow, drew attention to the unrest that led to 2003 transition in which political thugs went on rampage, killing and destroying at sight.

As part of measures to avert the ugly trend, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mallam Attahiru Garba Madami, assembled leaders of political parties last Thursday at the Headquarters of the commission in Ilorin where they took turns to sign peace accord in the presence of heads of security apparatuses.

Madami told the gathering that violence was alien to Kwara politics but wondered why hoodlums had a field day perpetrating unrest in some parts of the state capital.

He stated that it was worrisome that the state known with its slogan "State of Harmony" had been sliding to a State of Violence and Uncertainty.

The INEC chief asked politicians, who aided thuggery and hooliganism in their politicking to desist, saying it would be impossible for them to preside over the affairs of people they had already killed or maimed.

While urging members of political class to caution their followers and supporters found to be instigating violence, Madami admonished them to campaign based on issues and with utmost sense of decorum.

He added that politicians as leaders in their various parties should be seen as role models to their supporters.

"I am very worried that Kwara State that is known for peace, and is regarded as State of Harmony has turned to a State of violence. This is not acceptable by the Kwarans. Kwara never had history of political violence but the scenario has changed.

"In campaigns, there are rules and regulations. Let us do our best to uphold these rules and regulations. The thugs that caused violence are our people, our supporters. We need to talk to them. You are looking for the power to serve the people. When the people are dead or injured, who are you going to rule upon? This is the hard truth. Let us campaign based on issues and with decorum", Madami said.

He, however, warned staff of the commission to steer clear of act of misconduct during the elections and vowed that it would not hesitate to wield big stick on any officials found to have been compromised.

The REC assured that INEC under his watch would conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections that would be acceptable to all Kwarans.

He promised that all parties in the elections would be accorded a level playing ground by keeping faith with his vow upon assumption of office.

Madami informed that permanent voter card and card reader would be used at the polls, adding that the use of incidence forms in the event of malfunctioning of the card reader had been abolished.

The REC also assured that the forthcoming general elections would be the best in the history of the country, saying the leadership of the electoral umpire would not renege in fulfilling its promise to the electorate.

He said parties in the coming polls are expected to follow and abide by the peace accord aimed at making the elections under peaceful atmosphere.

In his remarks, the state commissioner of police, Mr Bashiru Makama, vowed that anyone caught perpetrating violence before, during and after the polls would not be spared.

Makama, who led other heads of security agencies to the event, expressed displeasure over mayhem that dominated the political space in recent times in some parts of Ilorin, assuring that his command would go after the culprits with a view to bringing them to justice.

"By now,  we should have learnt our lessons, especially what happened few days back. It is not good for us. Much has been said that we should play the game according to the rules. If we play the game by the rules, I think that is what will lead to acceptable and viable elections that we all intend to conduct.

"Please, party leaders, talk to your followers. I  have made a vow and I still stand by it. Long as I am here to watch over the activities of Police in this State, between me and the Almighty God, we will do it all with fear of God.

"I assure you those who perpetrated the dastard act of Tuesday, we have started making arrest. We have started recovering items that were stolen at that venue. By the special grace of God, by the time we finish, we shall parade them to the whole world to see, and they will be prosecuted in court as the case may be.

"I implore you all, go back and tell them, anything that happens after this moment, I'm going to hold you (politicians) responsible. I have seen pictures of situation where drugs are bought in sacks to be given to political followers or thugs. If we get you, the law is there. Nobody is above the law", police boss said.

Responding on behalf of political parties, the state chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Comrade Mumini Onagun, commended INEC for organising the peace accord and assured that parties in the election were ready to play the game according to the rules and regulations.

He spoke of the readiness of the umbrella of political parties to work with the electoral commission and security agencies to ensure peaceful polls.

Onagun noted that IPAC would continue to maintain its neutrality but warned that elections should not be seen as a do or die affair.