Three days to presidential election, political parties and their standard bearers Wednesday, signed the second national peace accord with the pledge to ensure a peaceful polls and also accept the outcome.
The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Mr Peter Obi, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Alhaji Musa Kwankwaso, were among those who signed the peace pact, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
The event was organised and supervised by the National Peace Committee, headed by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar in conjunction with the Kukah Centre.
In his message at the well-attended event, President Muhammadu Buhari, urged contestants and their political parties to respect the choice of voters and accept the result of the elections as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the umpire.
He reminded Nigerians that they have no other country outside Nigeria, tasking the contestants and their parties to do everything to keep it safe, united and peaceful, also urging them to shun riots or acts of violence after the announcement of the election results.
He told them to channel all grievances, personal or institutional, to the relevant courts.
The president assured INEC, the security agencies and all relevant institutions saddled with responsibility of conducting the elections of his administration’s continuous support just as he tasked them to be firm and courageous, and to abide by the laws and constitutional provisions in conducting the elections.
President Buhari’s speech read,” I would first like to thank the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and all the members; very distinguished Nigerians, for their commitment and sacrifices to support peaceful elections in Nigeria.
“Back in September 2022, the Chairman respectfully asked me to deliver a goodwill message in support of issue-based and peaceful campaigns and political rallies devoid of insults and personal attacks. This is at the very heart of my personal belief and conviction; that we need to dwell more on issues that are fundamental to the heart of Nigerians.
“Despite having no financial support from the government, the Peace Committee has remained steadfast, working with relevant agencies to provide moral compass and serve as an independent agency for alternative dispute resolution on the electoral process. | commend the Committee’s commitment and loyalty not only to the electoral process but to peace generally in Nigeria.
“I am aware of the deep concerns that have been raised about the conduct of the 2023 general elections and the outcomes they may throw up. However, since my assumption into office, my government has worked so hard to ensure that we pass on a legacy of free, fair, credible, safe, and peaceful elections. We will continue to act with neutrality and allow the rule of law to take precedence over political expediency. We have demonstrated that with the off-circle elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states. We allowed Nigerians to decide who should govern them. We are committed to this legacy till the very last day of my administration.
“I want to assure INEC, the security agencies and all relevant institutions saddled with responsibility of conducting the elections of my administrations continuous support. I ask you to be firm and courageous, and to abide by the laws and constitutional provisions in conducting the elections. We must constantly improve our electoral process using technology and all the positive elements it brings to consolidate the integrity of the elections.
“I implore the candidates contesting In these elections at all levels to respect the choice of voters and accept the result of the elections as announced by INEC, the agency empowered by law to do so. Any aggrieved candidate should resort to the established judicial processes, and we must have the confidence to trust our legal systems.
“I once again ask the candidates to abide by the spirit and letter of the Accord they have signed unto today.
“As your President, I am reminding all Nigerians, this is the only country we have, and we must do everything to keep it safe, united and peaceful. There should be no riots or acts of violence after the announcement of the election results. All grievances, personal or institutional, should be channeled to the relevant courts.
“Once again, I want to thank the Chairman and members of the National Peace Committee. Your committee has carved a niche for itself not only in the hearts of Nigerians but at the very centre of the electoral process.
“My government will give you all the necessary support you need to make your work more impactful and successful. | call on all other agencies and the International Development Partners to give the Peace Committee all the support It deserves in facilitating peaceful elections in Nigeria.”
The chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in his welcome address, explained that on September 29, 2022, the National Peace Committee organised the first signing of the National Peace Accord, committing the candidates to engage in issue -based campaigns.
While also explaining that the committee also monitored the compliance of the accord by the politicians, General Abubakar noted that ” we recorded some of the infractions that were a thing of concern.”
“There was lack of compliance by the major political parties. 44% of the violations were carried out by the spokespersons of the political parties; 26% by party members; 19% by the presidential candidates themselves; 11% by hardcore supporters and 4% by chairmen of the parties,”he said.
He spoke further: “Additionally, this January alone a lot of violence has occurred, with at least 15 abductions (including 1 Police Officer) and at least 30 killings (including 11 security personnel) and there were at least 6 attacks at political campaign rallies. in December 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has recorded 50 incidents of attacks on its offices from 2019 to 2022. According to data released by the commission Imo State has (11), Osun (7), Enugu (5), Akwa Ibom (5), Ebonyi (4), Cross River (4), and Abia (4), Anambra (2), Taraba (2), Kaduna (1), Borno (1), Bayelsa (1), Ondo (1), Lagos (1), and Ogun (1).
“As a nation, we got to put a stop to all these. That is why on 20° January 2022, we convened a meeting of the Presidential candidates and the party Chairmen to discuss existing and emerging issues regarding the way the campaigns were conducted, and the need for parties to moderate their views.
“Now that the elections are only a few hours away, we are here to witness the 2™ signing of the National Peace Accord to commit the Presidential candidates and their party Chairmen to accept the outcome of the elections as long as it is adjudged to be free, fair, and credible, and to seek legitimate and peaceful means of addressing any concern that may arise thereafter.
“In this regard, | want to encourage political parties to respect that only the INEC has the constitutional authority to announce the results, and to ensure that their supporters refrain from disseminating fake news, misinformation, disinformation and avoid statements that will incite violence after the results of the elections have been announced.
“Similarly, | urge all political parties, presidential candidates, and indeed all Nigerians, to avoid the temptation of the use of polls that are not credible to cause confusion in the polity. On behalf of the National Peace Committee,
“I urge all stakeholders to understand that this event has the potential of setting a positive trajectory in our journey to a peaceful and a more democratized Nigeria. “
The former Head of State added: “I call on all political actors, key stakeholders, and Nigerians in general to support a peaceful transition, promote the ideals of peace and a violent free post-election period. |! urge all politicians who will sign the accord to fully commit themselves to the letter and spirit of the accord.”
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari “for taking his time to join us at this important moment of history in the life of Nigeria’s growing democracy. “
Also speaking,former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, expressed happiness that the National Peace Committee had played very vital roles in the nation’s electoral processes, noting that the development had positively enhanced Nigeria’s democratic experiment.
He said: “The National Peace Committee positioning itself as a reliable, dependable independent mediation institution that seeks to foster and show peace in Nigeria’s elections since 2015. To this very moment, the committee has agreed ,has engaged the government at all levels, federal, state and local government, political actors and the public on the need to maintain case before, during and after the elections.
“I thank the members of the Peace Committee for their faith in Nigeria and the tireless effort in working to keep this country together and viable.”
Noting that in every democracy ,peace is a critical factor that breeds political, social, and economic progress, General Yakubu Gowon said:”I passionately appeal to the political actors to embrace peace and be civil in the engagements before, during and after the elections. “
He spoke further:”Our country is at a time where it needs leaders who are committed to uniting Nigerians coupled with leadership responsibility of bringing and ensuring the dividends of democracy to their doorsteps to the people and the country. Furthermore, the fundamental lesson we must supply from the past is the fact that the peace and unity of this country is non negotiable.
“While I commend the ionic and security agencies for the work done so far, I call on them to continuously live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that eligible voters exercise their franchise fully.”
“May I appeal to those who are still bent on disrupting the forthcoming election to reconsider the action and give the election a chance and opportunity for a just and fair resolution of the problems at hand,”he added.
On his part, former president,Good luck Jonathan,whose message at the event was read by his representative and Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Hasan Kukah,commended the National Peace Committee for doing excellent job in the nation’s electoral processes.
According to him,the committee deserves commendation especially given that it has the potential of bringing together all the contestants to commit themselves to a peaceful electioneering process.
He tasked the candidates to abide by the spirit of the accord, recalling that he and the president, Muhammadu Buhari went through similar road in 2015.
He also recalled that,”We also made it very clear in the second accord that we would abide by the outcome of the votes I believe that was the way to strengthen our democracy, stable, looming violence and bringing peace to our idea nation.”
He spoke further:” There is no better time to make this commitment and now, given the considerable levels of tension and apprehension so far experienced in the build up to these elections.
” This is the time for the candidates and party leaders to demonstrate goodwill and impress upon the candidates and followers that the election is not a war.
“Our country needs a stable and reliable democracy to be able to adequately address these challenges. And provide a designed leadership that meets the expectations of our teeming populace and the international community.
“They all look up to us to get our democracy right, and become a force to be reckoned with in the leadership recruitment and governance process.
“We need peaceful elections to give democracy a boost on the continent, especially in our sub-region, where civil rule is threatened by a wave of unconstitutional changes of government and therefore call on the presidential candidates, the party chairman and members of all political parties, to please respect the voice of Nigerians and embraced the politics of peace.”
Speaking further, Jonathan said,”We must continue to work tirelessly in our various capacities to ensure that peace reigns supreme during and after the elections.”
“At this juncture, I take this opportunity to challenge the election management body, to do its very best to ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible,” he said.
Speaking also,the Chairman of INEC,Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,while reiterating the readiness of the commission in the conduct of the general elections, disclosed that the commission had commenced the movement of sensitive materials to the various local government areas nationwide earlier in the day.
He also revealed that by Friday, it would activate the Registration Area Centres,RACs “so that at first light on Saturday, Polling Units will open on time.”
He appreciated the untiring effort of the National Peace Committee (NPC) for convening the event.
He said:” This is the 3rd Peace Accord to be signed by parties and candidates on the eve of a General Election in Nigeria since 2015 and the 9th overall if we include the Accords signed before the commencement of electioneering campaign in September last year and ahead of the five off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo in 2020, Anambra in 2021 and Ekiti and Osun States in 2022.
“The signing of the Peace Accord today comes at a critical moment in the electoral calendar. Campaign for Presidential and National Assembly elections ends at midnight tomorrow Thursday 23rd February 2023. Election will hold on Saturday this week. INEC is ready. This morning, we commenced the movement of sensitive materials to the various local government areas nationwide.
“By Friday, we will activate the Registration Area Centres (RACs) so that at first light on Saturday, Polling Units will open on time.
“The Commission is committed to free, fair and credible elections in compliance with the electoral legal framework and the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord. All political parties and candidates are hereby reassured of the Commission’s neutrality. Above all, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count.
“Over the next two days beginning from tomorrow, Thursday, the Commission will be holding daily media briefing at 3pm. The briefing will hold at this venue. The purpose is to provide update on preparations for the elections and to respond to issues that may arise. The briefing is open to political parties, civil society organizations, observers, the media and security agencies.”
The event was also attended by members of the diplomatic community, particularly the former President of Switzerland Ms. Doris Leuthard, the Ambassador of the European Union, Samuela Isopi, United Nations, ECOWAS, UNOWAS, and other ambassadors.
