Buhari, Atiku Offer Fresh Promises on Peaceful Election
*Sign peace accord
President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wednesday entered into fresh accord for a peaceful conduct during presidential election holding on Saturday, February 16.
The two signed for peace which was organized by the National Peace Committee convened by Bishop Matthew Kukah, and chaired by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).
The ceremony was witnessed by The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Hon. Patricia Scotland QC.
President Buhari had on the occasion called on Nigerians, particularly youths not to allow themselves to be used for any form of violence.
Similarly, Atiku said his ambition to be President is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.
He called on the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be fair and neutral during the election.
Buhari said, “I am making a special appeal to our young people: Do not allow yourselves to be used to cause violence. Please eschew all forms of violence and cooperate with all the relevant agencies during these elections.
‘’We will vote according to parties, but in the end, the only real Party is Nigeria, our country. Our elections are important only to the extent that they make her strong. Let us do our best and ask God to bless us and our country.”
Atiku also said, “As we prepare to sign off on this Peace Accord, as representatives of our party and people, may I freely quote the words of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which remains a benchmark, for me, taking into account the deep feelings that prevail as February 16th, 2019, approaches: ‘My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian’.”
“In this context, I appeal once again to every staff and the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force, to be fair arbiters in the upcoming elections while letting neutrality prevail.
“For emphasis and in the spirit of fair play, I also urge our security agencies, not to embark on indiscriminate arrests of members of the opposition, 24 to 48 hours before elections, as has been the case in previous elections.’’
The Peace Committee which is made up of EU and members of the civil society groups appealed to the security agencies and INEC to follow strictly their constitutional roles during the elections.
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