CDD, UK urges all presidential candidates, supporters to uphold to peace accord

By Abubakar Y Ojimaojo

The renowned think tank, Centre for Democracy and Development CDD and the United Kingdom foreign, commonwealth and Development office (FCDO) have urged all presidential candidates and their supporters to uphold the peace accords signed on 29th of September 2022 and the 22nd of February 2023, as well as to observe the Electoral Act...

CDD, also deployed a total of 4,993 trained and accredited observers, data clerks and fact-checkers, and social media monitors for both the presidential, legislative, and governorship elections, to assess the election.

According to the pre-election brief signed by the EAC Chair, Professor Adele Jinadu, and CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, all the political parties should ensure that their supporters adhere to the conditions laid out in the National Peace Accord through the voting process and after the announcement of results.

“INEC should continue to communicate regularly with Nigerians about the ongoing election process and is as transparent as possible during the collation and announcement of results.

“The Inter-Agency Cnsultative Committee on Election Security must ensure that all security personnel on electoral duty adhere to the agreed code of conduct and rules of engagement”.

Speaking on fake news, he said “Social media companies should support the work of fact-checking organizations by promptly taking down digital content that promotes political disinformation or hate speech that relates to the election.

“Nigerian voters, and citizens in the diaspora, should critically assess information that they receive about the elections before sharing to help prevent the spread of malicious information about the elections.

“The government should ensure INEC and the security agencies have the necessary resources at their disposal to roll out their comprehensive plans for election day operations that ensure polls take place in a safe, free, and fair environment.

In his goodwill message, FCDO delegation to Nigeria, Chris Pycroft urged all presidential candidates and their supporters to uphold the peace accords signed on the 29th of September 2022 and the 22nd of February 2023, as well as to observe the Electoral Act.

According to him, The UK strongly supports free fair, and peaceful elections in Nigeria and will continue to support the strengthening of democracy in Nigeria. He commended the Center for democracy and development on the elections Analysis Center, monitoring the integrity of these critically important elections.

He said, “The role of the election in 2019 cannot be overstated. It was critical in combating fake news and cross-examining media coverage of the elections.

“In this electoral cycle, the pervasiveness of fake news of myths and disinformation in the media has been disturbing. The elections Analysis Center and its experts need to leverage previous experience to address these worrying trends.

“Nigeria must go to the polls this weekend against the backdrop of security concerns in a challenging economic situation”.

Killing LP senatorial candidate, supporters wicked, barbaricPeter Obi

By Christiana Ekpa

Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has condemned the killing of the party’s senatorial candidate for Enugu East, Oyibo Chukwu on Wednesday by yet to be identified gunmen.

Obi said the brutal killing of Chukwu and his supporters on Wednesday is “barbaric, inhuman and senseless.”

The Labour Party Presidential hopeful also says he was devastated by the killings and called on the security agencies and the Enugu State Government to do everything possible to fish out the killers of the LP members.

“I am shocked by this dastardly act a few hours to the National elections. There will never be any justification for taking human life”, Obi laments, making it clear that the activities of evil men like the killers of Chukwu do not represent the character of Igbos and Nigerians as a whole.

He appeals to everyone to join hands to defeat these evil men and women who are an insignificant part of peace loving Nigerians.

Obi urges people in the south east as well as election officials there not to be deterred or frightened away from participating in the forthcoming election.

He condoles with families of those killed and prays that God in His infinite mercies would grant their souls eternal rest.