By Isaac Ukpoju
Lafia, Jan. 18, 2019 (NAN) Twelve governorship candidates in Nasarawa state on Friday signed a peace accord toward ensuring hitch-free general elections in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 12 out of the 28 political party candidates contesting for the governorship election in the state appended their signature to the document at the event.
The peace accord signing ceremony was anchored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.
Dr Uthman Ajidagba, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Nasarawa state, said the peace pact was part of the commission’s effort to enhance existing peaceful political environment for the conduct of 2019 general elections.
He commended political parties and their supporters for the peaceful conduct of party primaries in the state.
Ajidagba noted that avoidable electoral violence in Nigeria was worrisome, hence the need for commitment from stakeholders to stem the tide during the forthcoming polls.
He identified hate speech and fake news as factors fueling electoral violence and appealed to political parties and their supporters to desist from such act.
“I appeal that your campaigns should be issues-based rather than character assassination of opponents.
“My plea is that, as we undertake this signing ceremony, all of us should in words and actions be truly committed to this peace accord,” Ajidagba said.
He reiterated the commitment of INEC to conducting free, fair and credible elections in line with the Nigerian Constitution and other extant laws.
Dr Babatunde Afolabi, Country Director, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, advised the governorship candidates and the political parties not to see the peace pact signing as a routine exercise.
“The peace pact you are signing today is an indication of your commitment to good conduct and readiness to adhere to core democratic tenets.
“We encourage you to abide by the content of this peace pact in the interest of the people of the state, to avert bloodshed as result of the forthcoming elections.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebola Emmanuel-Longe, who spoke on behalf of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Elections Security (ICCES), assured of their readiness toward ensuring peaceful election in the state.
He called for the support of all political parties and other stakeholders, saying that ensuring a peaceful election require collective responsibility.
Mr David Umbugadu, governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr Labaran Maku of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) sent representatives to the occasion.
Meanwhile, Ajidagba explained that the peace pact could only be signed personally by the candidates and their party chairmen.
According to him, those not present at the ceremony still have the opportunity to sign the peace pact at the INEC office. (NAN)
