Presidential candidates sign peace accord

…..Respect choice of voters – Buhari to pres candidates 

Candidates from 18 political parties participating in the presidential election scheduled for February 25 have signed a peace accord in Abuja.

Present at the signing of the peace accord were members of the National Peace Committee, as well as President Muhammadu Buhari.

Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were among the presidential candidates present.

By the text of the peace accord, presidential candidates make a commitment to “accept and abide by the outcome of the 2023 presidential election and if issues should arise”, to “deploy constitutional means and appeal to the courts rather than other unconstitutional means”.

In his remarks, Goodluck Jonathan, former president, said the peace accord is needed to deter candidates and their allies from using instruments of misinformation to influence the election.

The former president, whose speech was read by Catholic bishop of Sokoto,  Matthew  Kukah charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the election is credible.

Speaking also at the event, President Muhammadu Buhari advised the candidates contesting to “respect the choice and voice” of the electorate.

The president said since the start of his administration, he has been committed to leaving a legacy of “free, fair, credible, safe, and peaceful elections”.

“The chairman of the committee asked me to deliver a goodwill message in support of issue-based and peaceful campaigns and political rallies devoid of insults and personal attacks,” he said.

“I readily agreed because this is my personal belief and conviction that we need to dwell more on issues that are fundamental to Nigeria.

“We will continue to act with neutrality and allow the rule of law to take precedence over political expediency. We have demonstrated that with off-cycle elections. We allowed Nigerians to decide who should govern them”.

“I want to assure INEC, the security agencies, and other relevant institutions of continuous support. I ask you to be firm and courageous in conducting the elections.

“We must constantly improve our electoral process using technology and other positive elements which consolidate the integrity of the election.

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“I urge the candidates contesting this election at all levels to respect the choice and voice of voters and accept the results of the election as announced by INEC, the agency empowered by law to do so.

‘Any aggrieved candidate should resort to the established judicial processes. We must have the confidence to trust our legal systems.”