…..see major condition in the peace accord.
Seventeen political parties and their governorship candidates in Ondo State including the APC and the PDP Candidates Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Agboola Ajayi respectively have signed a Peace Accord ahead of the gubernatorial election set for next Saturday.
Other candidates who signed are Chief Sola Ebiseni of LP, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye of SDP and Hon. Gbenga Edema.
The event, held in Akure, was organized by the National Peace Accord Committee, led by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Convened by Bishop Matthew Kukah.
Agboola who attended the ceremony briefly was later represented by his Deputy, Hon. Festus Akingbaso in the signing while Aiyedatiwa and others signed the Peace Accord.
The peace accord aims to ensure that a credible and peaceful electoral process while the candidates pledged to accept the outcome of the poll and if feel aggrieved they will seek redress through constitutional process.
The accord also urges candidates and their parties to uphold the principles of peace and democracy.
The former Head of State said, “the signing of this peace accord commits gubernatorial candidates and party leaders to support a peaceful and credible election.”
Addressing party leaders and candidates, Abubakar called on them to accept the results of the election if they are deemed free, fair, and credible, and to pursue any grievances through lawful and peaceful means. “It is our hope that the Ondo election sets a positive example for other off-cycle elections in the country,” he added.
Abubakar also commended INEC for its preparations and praised the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their efforts to maintain peace in Ondo State. He encouraged the security personnel to remain vigilant in averting any threats of violence, as the election draws near.
In his remarks, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu expressed appreciation for the Peace Accord Committee’s role in promoting peaceful elections across Nigeria.
Yakubu noted that based on the success of similar accords, the National Peace Committee had expanded the signing of peace agreements to include governorship elections, given the heightened tensions surrounding these races.
The INEC boss confirmed that there have been no major incidents reported in Ondo, and he shared confidence that the proactive measures taken by INEC, security agencies, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations would contribute to a peaceful election.
He assured the public that INEC has addressed logistical challenges, including special arrangements for remote and riverine areas in Ondo State.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reassured the public of a neutral and vigilant security presence during the election, ensuring a level playing field for all parties and candidates.
Speaking behalf of other candidates, Ondo State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, also pledged to uphold the peace accord.
Aiyedatiwa assured the committee of the safety of all stakeholders and expressed hope that the atmosphere of peace would be sustained before, during, and after the elections.
