Presidential candidates, parties sign peace accord ahead Saturday’s poll

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, the nation’s registered political parties and their candidates on Wednesday signed another peace accord, organized by the National Peace Committee, NPC, under the chairmanship of the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).

Yesterday’s signing of the peace accord, held at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja, was the third to be signed by them.

Speaking at the colourful ceremony, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof

Mahmood Yakubu urged on Nigerians to be confidence that their votes would count in the forthcoming general elections.

Yakubu, who said that INEC has commenced movement of sensitive materials to the various Local Government Areas nationwide, added that the commission was committed to credible elections.

According to him, “Campaign for Presidential and National Assembly elections ends at midnight tomorrow Thursday Feb. 23. Election will hold on Saturday this week.

“INEC is ready. This morning, we commenced the movement of sensitive materials to the various Local Government Areas nationwide.

“By Friday, we will activate the Registration Area Centres (RACs) so that at first light on Saturday, polling units will open on time.

“The Commission is committed to free, fair and credible elections in compliance with the electoral legal framework and the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord.

“ All political parties and candidates are hereby reassured of the Commission’s neutrality. Above all, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count”, he said.

The INEC Chairman explained that over the next two days beginning from Thursday, INEC would be holding daily media briefing at 3pm at International Conference Center.

“ The purpose is to provide update on preparations for the elections and to respond to issues that may arise.

“The briefing is open to political parties, civil society organizations, observers, the media and security agencies”, he said. Yakubu expressed appreciation towards the effort of the National Peace Committee (NPC) for convening the event, saying it comes at a critical moment in the Nigeria’s electoral calendar.

He urged political parties and their candidates to abide by the letter and spirit of the accord.