November 04, (THEWILL) – Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State, political parties and their Candidates on Thursday signed a Peace pact, pledging to ensure violent free poll before and after the election
The Peace pact was held at a ceremony at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital.
At the ceremony, the candidates and their party chairmen, INEC chairman, and a representative of the peace committee all signed the agreement for a peaceful election.
The candidates include Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Ifeanyi Uba of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Other are, Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party, Godwin Maduka of the Accord Party (AP), Etiaba Chukwuogo of the Action Alliance (AA), Nwankwo Chidozie of the African Action Congress (AAC), Onyejegbu Okwudili of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Ohajimkpo Emeka of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ezenwafor Victor of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Nnamdi Nwawuo of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Uzo Godwin of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Okonkwo Francis of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The initiative was facilitated by the National Peace Committee headed by a former Nigerian Military President, General Abdusalami Abubakar (Rtd).
Chairman of the Committee Gen. Abubakar, who commended Prof Yakubu, for the arrangements made for the election, appealed to the governorship candidates to commit to the pact and accept the outcome of the poll.
He also urged the candidates, the political parties and their supporters to accept the outcome of the election, as long as it is judged to be free, fair and credible.
He said, “In Nigeria, almost every election in Nigeria is accompanied by violence by large box snatching, vote-buying, outright disruption of the process and in some cases, the intimidation of ordinary citizens who simply want to select a leader to govern,’ Abubakar stated.
“It is for this reason that we, the members of the National Peace Committee, have come to a number of states to support a peaceful electoral process. We cherish the people of Anambra State, we cherish the peace and unity of Nigeria. Most importantly, we want to contribute our own quarter to see that the governorship election in a number of states is devoid of violence.
“Therefore, the signing of the Peace Acord today is not a mere exercise. It is indeed a clarion call for all the candidates, the political parties and all Anambrarian to commit themselves to a peaceful process. We call on all the candidates, the political parties and their supporters to accept the outcome of the votes as long as it is judged to be free, fair and credible.
“I have been assured by the chairman of INEC that all efforts and everything are in good condition to ensure a free and fair election. I congratulate the chairman for this confirmation and its commitment to assure all of the responsibility to deepen credible election and democracy in every part of Nigeria.
“We want every Nigerian to begin to enjoy the fruits of democracy and this can only happen when they cease instability. Once again, I want to thank every one of you for honouring our invitation and for turning out to participate in this event.
“I won’t finish this address without thanking the INEC chairman for the good work done in ensuring that everything is put in place for the election. We are hoping that each and every one of us will play by the rules, and I want to also thank you for facilitating my arrival here this morning.”
Anambra, as in much of the South-East, has witnessed several violent attacks, casting doubts on the safety of the elections.
But the Federal Government has beefed up security in the state, pledging a free and fair poll.
On Tuesday, Senate minority leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe urged voters to show up at the polls, noting that the elections will be safe.
