Candidates of all the political parties featuring in Saturday governorship election have signed an accord to be peaceful in weekend election.
At the peace accord signing was the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission Prof Mahmoud Yakubu.
The INEC boss expressed appreciation to the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, His Excellency General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar GCFR, for convening the meeting. “We are forever grateful to the respected statesmen, traditional, religious and business leaders who are working in a voluntary and non-partisan way to promote peaceful elections in Nigeria,” he said
He said the intervention of the Peace Committee contributed in no small way to the peaceful conduct of previous Governorship elections.
“We are confident that the Ekiti State Governorship election holding this Saturday will not be different. Working with civil society organisations, the media, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, and other stakeholders, INEC will continue to partner with the Peace Committee for peaceful elections in Nigeria,” he said.
Urging parties and candidates to realise that without peace, INEC deployment plans; new innovations in voter accreditation and result management; the safety of voters, election duty staff, observers and the journalists; security of materials; and, ultimately, the credibility of elections will be undermined, he said No credible election can be achieved in an atmosphere of disruption, violence and disorder. It is, therefore, important for everyone to maintain the peace.
He added, “The success of the Peace Accord rests on three pedestals: the political actors, INEC and security agencies. Speaking for INEC, I wish to assure the Peace Committee of our commitment to transparent and credible elections. Working for the last 12 months since June 2021 when we released the Timetable for the Ekiti State Governorship election, it is inconceivable that INEC will undermine itself, especially on Election Day and beyond. I want to assure you all that the votes of the Ekiti people will count.
“The truth is that the Peace Accord is not an automated, self-actualising process. Let me therefore call on all political parties and candidates to abide by the letter and spirit of the Accord by appealing to your supporters to maintain the peace before, during and after the elections. This will be your own way of showing commitment to the Peace Accord and appreciation for the work of the Peace Committee.”