THUR, 29 SEPT, 2022-theGBJournal| The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was visibly absent today as political parties leadership signed a national peace accord that will bind their conducts at the upcoming 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
As at press time, no official statement from the APC had been issued explaining Tinubu’s absent, but many have said that he is away in London, UK on a medical trip.
Presidential candidates and chairmen of 18 registered political parties were present for the occasion in Abuja, organized by the National Peace Committee headed by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah.
This is the 1st signing of the peace accord, and according to General Abubakar, the second accord signing will come up shortly before the elections, in January next year, and ‘’it is intended to commit the candidates to accepting the outcome of the votes as long as it is adjudged to be free, fair and credible.’’
General Abdusalami in his remarks at the event called on the participating political parties to promote issue-based campaigns.
‘’We are calling on politicians to address issues that are fundamental to Nigerian citizens. We also want to promote respect, tolerance for differences in opinions. We want to ensure that there is humility and decency in public discuss,’’ he said.
He appealed to, on behalf of all members of the international peace committee and all Nigerians, all political parties, party chairmen, candidates and party spokesperson, to ‘’please campaign on the basis of issues that are of significant concern to Nigerians.’’
He also cautioned against the spread of fake news, personal attacks and insults while urging compliance with the spirit and letter of the peace accord.
While appealing to the electorate, he said, ‘’the issue of malpractices helped by the electorates themselves does no good to our electoral process.’’
President Muhammadu Buhari, in his goodwill message, empasised the need for Nigerians to see the upcoming 2023 General elections as an opportunity to serve Nigeria and uphold her unity and progress.
In a video message, the president called on contestants, publicity agents and media advisers, to shun personal attacks, avoid insults and incitement, reject the spread of fake news and commit to issue-based campaigns and political rallies.
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, in her goodwill message, also called on party candidates to take the forefront in the stand against misinformation and fake news, and focus on Issue-Based campaigns.
She empasised the impartiality of the EU and its role as an independent observer of the democratic process.
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, at the peace accord signing, drew the attention of party members to the electoral offences as contained in the electoral act including the use of media in a ‘’partial manner.’’
He reiterated the force’s commitment to working with sister agencies in ensuring the success of the polls come 2023.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, spoke on the plans of the Commission to monitor the ‘’actions, conducts and spendings of parties in accordance with the provisions of the electoral act.’’
He argued that it is not enough to sign the peace accord, but ‘’parties need to abide by the letter and spirit of the accord.’’
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