Some fifty (50) governorship candidates in Sokoto yesterday signed an accord to maintain peace throughout the period of the campaigns, elections proper and even following the elections.
The accord was at the instance of the International Republican Institute (IRI) in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and USAID.
According to the organizers, the event was aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the politicians before, during and after the election.
Among the signatories were three women gubernatorial candidates, who are the flag bearers of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Luba Muhammad, the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA), Salamatu Isa and KOWA Party candidate Aliya Kebbe, respectively.
Speaking at the ceremony, PDP candidate and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said the accord underscores the importance of peaceful coexistence for the overall development of the nation.
He praised the initiators and advised other political parties and their candidates against acting in manners capable of breaching peace in the state just for the sake of elections.
He also cautioned them against breeding restiveness in any form and warned bad elements against arming and deploying youths to commit electoral violence and other crimes in the state.
“If we encouraged youths to attacked innocent people, business environments, the society will be angered.
“I urged fellow contestants and other politicians not use vulgar and inciting languages, not to consider election as a do-or-die affair.
“The election is a process which has different stages and leadership is a destiny which Allah has destined to individuals he wishes,” he said recalling the sad incident where 26 persons were killed by armed bandits.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Bishop Mathew Kukah, said the initiative was in line with best practice and is meant to foster and sustain peaceful existence.
Kukah said the peace accord initiative was to discovered violence in all forms and ways to facilitate credible election and good leadership that is beneficial to citizens.
The Sokoto state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Musa Abubakar, also commended stakeholders on their cooperation and hoped to be actualised for the overall progress of the nation.
