By Dayo Johnson

Akure—ALL the political parties in Ondo State, yesterday, shunned the peace parley organised for them by the state Police Command.

Apart from the Police chiefs who called the meeting and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, other security personnel did not attend the meeting.

Chairman of the state council of Obas, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo said the development may be as a result of the shift in the elections by INEC.

Also absent were the President of Market Women Association, Chief Juliana Ogunsusi, youth associations, drivers’ unions and relevant stakeholders.

These personalities and groups attended the last meeting held about a month ago before the postponement of the general elections.

The state Police Command was said to have initiated the meeting in a bid to make the political parties and politicians especially candidates to sign a peace pact ahead of the election.

Speaking at the botched meeting, the Assistant Inspector General, AIG, in charge of zone 11, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye said the absence of the invitees was as a result of the shift of the election date to March 28 and April 11, noting that the meeting had been fixed long before the election postponement

He said that there was no cause for alarm as the peace meeting will be rescheduled to another time to ensure broader participation by the relevant stakeholders.

Okoye said that the Police in the zone are ready to ensure peaceful conduct of the election and advised politicians and political parties to play the game according to the rules and shun any act of violence and brigandage.

Speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Isaac Eke said as the core agency saddled with the responsibility for internal security, it behooves on the command to champion the stakeholders’ meeting in ensuring peaceful, credible, fair and violence-free election.