By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
Ahead of the conduct of the Ekiti State Gubernatorial election billed for June 18, 11 governorship candidates out of 16 have signed peace accord with a view to ensuring that peace is maintained before, during and after the polls.
A former Head of State and Chairman, National Peace Commission (NPC), General Abdulsalam Abubakar(rtd) appealed to the people of the state to live up to the ideals of integrity and honour the state has been noted for in order to have a free, fair and credible election on Saturday.
Gen. Abubakar also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the Ekiti Governorship poll is free of rancor,adding that the citizens must be patient and conduct themselves orderly while INEC official must ensure that no obstacles are placed on the path of the people and Nigerians.
Gen. Abubakar was represented by the convener,National Peace Committee, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, at the signing of the Peace Accord by Ekiti State Governorship candidate’s, 2022.
At the event held in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital yesterday,11 Governorship candidates signed the Accord and 5 of the Governorship candidates were not present and did not sign the Accord yesterday.
The Parties that were present include APC, SDP, ADC, ADP, NNPP, APP, NRM, PRP, ZLP, APGA, while PDP, YPP while three others did not attend.
The NPC Chairman urged residents in the state to take advantage of the off season election provided to vote to install leaders of their choice.
“We are now witnessing a joyful surge of excitement across the country over the issue of voter registration. Nigerians are now using various platforms from faith based association, civil society groups, ethnic and community platforms to assist other federal and state government agencies to encourage voter registration among our people”
“Since the 2015 elections, when the NPC came into being, we at the NPC have over the years have gradually been woven into the beautiful fabric of the good work of the INEC”
“The collaboration has given birth to the various successful amendments to the electoral law which has also helped to strengthen the confidence of Nigerians in their electoral processes”
The NPC appealed to the people to come out and vote and stay alive.
According to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the intervention of NPC has contributed in no small measure to relative peace in the country.
Prof. Yakubu, said no credible election can be achieved in a violent election, saying INEC would give a transparent and credible election,stressing that the votes of Ekiti people will count.
While the chairman, Ekiti State Council of traditional rulers, Oba Ayodele Adejuwon, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, in his remarks, said Obas in the state would not tolerate any bloodshed during the poll, calling on Ekiti people to vote without engaging in violence.
