—Jonathan, Buhari renew peace accord
By Bode Olagoke and Abdullahi M. Gulloma, Abuja
General Muharmmadu Buhari (rtd) has said that he is not contesting tomorrow’s election because of power and money but because Nigerians believe that he has what it takes to achieve the much-needed change and he has answered the clarion call.
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), therefore, warned his supporters to avoid anything that might make them play into the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “mischief makers” who, he added, were determined to discredit his party.
Addressing his last press conference in Abuja yesterday, Buhari thanked Nigerians for their support, urging all to come out and vote.
“If they don’t vote, it may be difficult to change their miserable conditions,” he warned.
He added: “The PDP administration has exhausted all its goodwill and lost all the argument on performance and competence and is, as a result, seeking to retain power at all cost, regardless of performance, a shameless reflection of desperation and greed for power.
“A government that abandoned its citizens to their fate has no reason to remain in office a day longer than necessary.
“I am pleased to say that the best judges of a government’s performance are its own citizens. The popularity of the PDP is at the lowest ebb, and this shrinkage of goodwill is irretrievable.
“Nigerians are desperately yearning for change as they enthusiastically look forward to Saturday, March 28, and April 14, 2015 to exercise their franchise by voting for change.
“Nigerians are desirous of change because they don’t want the continuation of their present miserable existence under PDP’s ruinous rule. They are tired of a government of failed promise, and are earnestly marching ahead to embrace a government that loves the welfare of its citizens.”
Reacting to the deployment of soldiers for the election, the APC candidate said: “I am also worried about the increasing temptation by the government to drag the military into duties outside their professional training. This tendency makes Nigeria look like those banana republics where chaos is the order of the day.”
He told his supporters “to do all that is within the law to protect their votes and ensure that the will of the people is not subverted or in any way undermined.”
Also yesterday, Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) renewed their pledge to ensure that tomorrow’s elections are peaceful.
The two leading presidential candidates met at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotels and
Towers in Abuja to review the campaigns of their respective political parties.
The meeting was facilitated by the National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd).
A new peace agreement was signed by the two candidates, who appealed to their supporters to be peaceful before, during and after the elections.
The agreement, titled “Renewal of Our Pledges to Peaceful Elections,” and signed by the duo and Abdulsami, reads: “Joint statement issued by His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan and Major General Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, March 26, 2015 ahead of the 2015 presidential elections
“You may recall that on 14th January 2015, both of us, along with nine other party leaders, signed what has now come to be known as the Abuja Accord. The substance of that accord was our commitment to free, fair and credible elections in our dear country.
“In the accord, we agreed to, among other things, run an issues-based campaign and pledged that our electoral campaigns will not involve any religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and all agents acting in our names.
“Now that the campaigns have come to an end, we meet today to renew our pledge for peaceful elections.
“We therefore call on all fellow citizens of our dear country, and our party supporters, to refrain from violence or any acts that may in any way jeopardise our collective vision of a free, fair and credible election.
“In addition, we call on INEC and all security agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles. We also pledge to respect the outcome of free, fair and credible elections.
“Today, we again renew our commitment to a united, democratic and prosperous Nigeria.
“We want all Nigerians to stand together at this critical phase of our nation’s history. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless you all.”