Eighteen presidential candidates contesting the Saturday election have been brought under the same roof on Wednesday to sign a fresh peace accord ahead of the poll.
Present at the signing ceremony were former African presidents such as Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Uhuru Kenyata of Kenya and former President of Rwanda. Also present at the event were former Heads state Yakubu Gowon, AbdulSalami Abubakar and President Muhammadu Buhari.
Those who gave goodwill messages at the event representatives of the European Union, the ECOWAS Commission and envoys of some countries.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech was delivered by Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah.
Jonathan said the world looked up to Nigeria to conduct peaceful elections calling on the “candidates to respect the voice of Nigerians and embrace the message of peace.”
He called on the INEC to ensure that the elections are credible and fair.
Jonathan also called on security agencies not to compromise.
Former Head of State Yakubu Gowon
Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, called on those bent on truncating the election to reconsider their plans. He said the peace of Nigeria is non-negotiable.
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He said to foster and ensure peace in Nigeria’s elections since 2015 to now, “the committee has agreed and engaged the government at all levels; Federal, State and Local Government, political actors and the public have been made to maintain peace, before during and after the elections.”
He said, “I thank the members of the peace committee for their faith in Nigeria and the tireless efforts to keep this country together and viable. I also want to salute and congratulate all of you, presidential candidates of the eighteen political parties that are in the field of competition and other participants that are here.
“In every democracy peace is a critical factor that brings political, social and economic progress. I passionately appeal to the political actors to embrace peace and be civil in their engagement before, during and after the elections.
“Our country is at a time where it needs leaders who are committed to uniting Nigerians couple with leadership responsibilities of bringing and ensuring the dividends of democracy to their doorsteps, to the people and the country.
Furthermore, fundamental lesson we must have learnt from the past is the fact that peace and unity of this country is not negotiable. While I commend the INEC 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 peacefully.
Before I end, may I appeal to those who are still bent on distrupting the forthcoming elections to reconsider their action, desist and give the election peace and chance and opportunity to a just amd fair resolution of the problem at hand.
Finally, I wish all Nigerians a peaceful election and a smooth transition of government as we had the last time.
Knut Ulvmoen, Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria
Democratic government does not limit itself to the exercise of power but constantly strives for consensus and compromise since its very purpose is to improve the lives of all.
Democracy also imperatively requires the governance to be based on a legitimate mandate in order for all citizens to be able to accept its decisions. The Independent National Electoral Commission therefore deserves praise for its monument effort to secure free, fair and credible elections.
I wish Nigeria and the election that unites its citizens in their democratic aspirations. Thank you.