The Unity Party of Nigeria has called on security agencies to sign a pact that would assure Nigerians that they would not give undue advantage to any political party in the coming elections.
This was contained in a statement signed by UPN National Secretary, Sokoto Abubakar, on Friday in Abuja.
The party commended the National Security Adviser and the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs for organising the Abuja Peace Accord workshop during which all presidential candidates signed a peace bond.
It said the initiative was commendable considering the concern of many Nigerians and friends of Nigeria about the outcome of the February elections.
The statement said: “UPN will like the organisers and those who witnessed the signing of the accord to organise a similar forum for all our security agencies.
“The agencies, particularly the police, DSS and the military leadership, should sign a pact and assure the people that they will not give undue advantage to any political party.
“Sometimes, the activities of the security agencies trigger breakdown of law and order during elections.”
According to the UPN, this call is necessary considering the reported action of the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, when he defected to the All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party.
It said that the cases of events that took place during the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States in 2014 were still fresh.
The party said: “If we are sincere and concerned about having peace during and after elections, our security operatives must exhibit total patriotism and commitment to neutrality in the exercise.
“We must resolve that we must get it right this time; the election must be free, fair and credible.
“It had happened before, during 1993 presidential election and it can happen again.”