*18 presidential candidates sign peace accord, say they’ll accept result
*That if issues arise, they’ll deploy constitutional means only
*Buhari charges them to respect the choice of electorate
*Insists he’ll leave legacy of free, fair, credible, safe, peaceful election
By Aaron Ossai
Barely 72 hours to Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, 18 presidential candidates from various political parties yesterday signed a peace accord promising to abide by the outcome of the polls.
They also unanimously agreed that should issues arise from the conduct of the polls, they will deploy constitutional means to address their grievances rather than resorting to unconstitutional means.
On his part, President Muhammadu Buharu who was present at the accord signing ceremony alongside members of the National Peace Committee charged the presidential candidates to respect the choice and voice of the electorate during the elections.
He said since the start of his administration in 2015, he has been committed to leaving a legacy of “free, fair, credible, safe and peaceful elections.
“The chairman of the committee asked me to deliver a goodwill message in support of issue-based and peaceful campaigns and political rallies devoid of insults and personal attacks.
“I readily agreed because this is my personal belief and conviction that we need to dwell more on issues that are fundamental to Nigeria.
“We will continue to act with neutrality and allow the rule of law to take precedence over political expediency. We have demonstrated that with off-cycle elections. We allowed Nigerians to decide who should govern them.
“I want to assure INEC, the security agencies, and other relevant institutions of continuous support. I ask you to be firm and courageous in conducting the elections.
“We must constantly improve our electoral process using technology and other positive elements which consolidate the integrity of the election.
“I urge the candidates contesting this election at all levels to respect the choice and voice of voters and accept the results of the election as announced by INEC, the agency empowered by law to do so.
‘Any aggrieved candidate should resort to the established judicial processes. We must have the confidence to trust out legal systems”, he added.
Also present at the ceremony are Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.
In his remarks, former president Goodluck Jonathan said the peace accord is needed to deter candidates and their allies from using instruments of misinformation to influence the election.
Represented by Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto, Jonathan charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the election is credible.
“This is aimed at mitigating disinformation and misinformation during the election and in the time of the social media era.
“There is no other time than now given the considerable tension in the country as a result of the election. The election is not war. The country needs a stable democracy. The world looks up to us to get our leadership right and leadership recruitment right”, he stated.
Also speaking at the occasion, former military head of state, Yakubu Gowon advised the candidates to be “civil in their engagements”, adding that Nigeria is in need of a leader who is capable of “bringing and ensuring dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people”.
“I appeal to those who are bent on disrupting the election to reconsider their actions, to give an opportunity for just and fair resolution to the problems at hand. I wish all Nigerians a peaceful election and smooth transition of government as we had last time,” he added.
