The peace meeting called Tuesday by former Head of State General Abubakar Abdulsalami-led National Peace Committee(NPC) ahead of Saturday’s governorship election almost suffered a setback as an aide to Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi was attacked by thugs suspected to be members of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
But the Ondo state government said the deputy governor was orchestrating an attack on himself to draw the public sympathy and implicate Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Ajayi, who is the candidate of the Zenith Labur Party (ZLP) is in the race against the incumbent governor, Mr. Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) among others.
At the parley, the trio, alongside other candidates, committed to peace by signing an accord to that effect.
The candidates made the pledge at the signing of a peace accord organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The event took place at the International Cultural and Event Centre, the Dome in Akure, the state capital.
Peace c’ttee
Addressing the contestants, Chairman of the committee, General Abubakar, who spoke via zoom, advised all stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to the spirit of the accord.
The former head of state, who urged the candidates to use the Edo election as a lesson for the Ondo state exercise, called on the electorate to cast their votes without fear of intimidation or coercion.
He explained that those who signed the peace accord had committed themselves to ensuring peace in the state and Nigeria at large before, during and after the election.
Abubakar said: “The tension and anxiety associated with election necessitated the setup of the National Peace Committee which is to support peaceful election process and enthrone culture of peace.”
“In 2014, the committee conveyed efforts to support peaceful election as well as ensuring a peaceful transition.
“The intervention of the committee contributed immensely to the success of the 2015 election. The NPC has since successfully intervened in the general election to ensure a peaceful outcome to the 2019 general election even at the just concluded Edo governorship election.
“The governorship election in Ondo state is only a few days away and we want peace during and after the election. We want to see Nigeria as a place where people come out peacefully and vote during the election without deprivation and Ondo state deserves this.
“As we go into the election, we have been given assurance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they will conduct a free, fair and credible election. The rest is left for the voters to do what is right.”
Giving similar admonition, members of the NPC, Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and Bishop Mathew Kukah tasked the youth not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs.
Kukah said: “It is imperative to call on everyone to work towards peaceful election to ensure peace reign during and after the election.”
Speaking at the parley, INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the commission had met 12 of the necessary steps for the smooth conduct of the election.
He urged political parties and their supporters to maintain peace during and after the election.
IGP
Addressing the meeting, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, represented by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Leye Oyebade, assured of safety of lives and properties.
He said the police had been able to map out all the three senatorial districts and the 18 local government areas in the state for effective policing.
Other signatories to the accord were Accord Party, the African Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Democratic Party (ADP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) among others.
The event also had in attendance Chairman Ondo state Council of Obas and the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fedrick Akinruntan, the Deji of Akure, other traditional rules and notable religious leaders among others.
Ajayi, Akeredolu, Jegede pledge
Making a commitment, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Agboola Ajayi, said: “Let me join everybody to appreciate our leaders, let me use our former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar, as a point of contact to appreciate all members of the Peace Accord.”
“Having said that, I want to let all of us know that our party, the Zenith Labour Party, has always and will continue to conduct ourselves in a most peaceful and democratic manner into this exercise, we have started and the whole world is watching all of us, you have never one day noticed our campaign train attacked and we never attacked anybody. We will continue to appeal to those attacking themselves to see election as a democratic programme that is set out with an agenda that is guided by rules and democratic guidelines. Having said that, we are praying that on the 10th of October that our votes will count. Once again let me say that nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any citizen”.
Also, the PDP standard bearer said: “Let me start by showing appreciation for your commitment and sacrifice in ensuring that we have a peaceful election not only in Ondo state but in Nigeria, let me give a firm commitment on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which I have the privilege and the honour to represent in the election coming up on the 10th of October to say that we are convinced on the need for peace not only in Ondo state but in the entire country.
“Let me also say that for me as a person, I am absolutely committed to a peaceful election, before the election and even after the election, when the results have been announced. I say that there is no option for us other than to follow a peaceful process. I implore our security agencies, especially the Police to ensure that they comply with the rules, it is not enough to say that you want to be neutral, neutrality may mean staying aloof and not interfering.”
Making similar commitment, Governor Akeredolu said: “What we have done this morning is to sign a peace accord, the content that was read out to the hearing of everybody and not only for us, let me again solemnly make my pledge that I will abide by what was signed.
“I want to thank the National Peace Committee, this won’t be our first election, at least for me this will be the third and last time that I will contest election in Ondo state. In the last two occasions, all of us operating as brothers and I cannot recollect any violence in those two elections but if we have one all two issues here and there, it is not to say that Ondo state people are violent.
Thugs strike
But barely after the parley, the media aide to the deputy governor, Mr. Allen Sowore, was attacked outside the Dome while driving out of the venue.
Our correspondent reports that the suspected APC thugs and other party supporters, who were in the governor’s convoy, were chanting ‘Aketi’ and saying 4 + 4 =8, connoting their candidate would have another four years.
It was gathered that the thugs descended on Sowore, spitting on him and another supporter of the ZLP candidate with the supporter’s cloth torn in the process.
ODSG counters
In a related development, the Ondo state government alleged plot by the deputy governor to attack his own convoy in order to implicate Governor Akeredolu.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Donald Ojogo, stated this while reacting to a claim by Director- General Agboola Ajayi Campaign Organisation, Dr Kola Ademujimi that Akeredolu had perfected plans to attack the candidate of the party in Owo local government area, hence they had to suspend the tour.
“The incident is planned for today (Monday) and targeted to be seen to have been carried out by supporters of a political party as he visits Owo as part of his campaign tour.
“The Ondo state government has implicit confidence in the capacity of the security agencies to unravel the circumstances leading to skirmishes in the last three weeks. We are, however, persuaded to believe that most of such attacks are organised by ‘the loud victims’ to demonise the government and paint a savoury atmosphere of insecurity as we approach the October 10 election.
“In the case of today’s planned imaginary theatre of violence, Ajayi characteristically desires not the seat of governor. His motive is to create crisis and play the ignoble role of an underdog and victim in order to attract public sympathy.
“The state government wishes to reiterate its sustained call on the security agencies to heighten their surveillance and stem every untoward move in the direction of a peaceful election. Providing adequate security for Ajayi as he tours Owo can only be a potent effort to forestall a dangerous slide into perfidy,” Ojogo said.
US tasks INEC, others
Also making a demand of all stakeholders, the United States called for peaceful poll in Ondo state.
In a notice Tuesday, the US said it remained committed to work with Nigeria in ensuring the prosperity of both countries.
It said: “The United States urges all stakeholders to continue to work toward free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in Ondo state.
“We reiterate our hope that all participants in the democratic process including the INEC, political parties, and the security services will take concrete steps to ensure a peaceful election that reflects the will of the people of Ondo.
“The United States remains committed to the US-Nigeria partnership as we work together to achieve our mutual goals of peace and prosperity for the citizens of both our countries.”
