18 parties sign peace accord ahead of Ondo election

Eighteen governorship candidates in Akure signed a peace accord on Friday ahead of the 2024 Ondo State off-cycle governorship election scheduled for Nov. 16.

Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), who oversaw the signing, said it was to support a peaceful and credible electoral process.

He also said the accord would promote the ideals of peace and democracy.

Abubakar urged party leaders and candidates to accept the outcome of the election as long as it was adjudged to be free, fair, and credible. He said any candidate or party should seek legitimate and peaceful means of addressing any concerns that may arise afterwards.

“I want to call on all stakeholders to work assiduously in their capacities to ensure that peace reigns supreme during this election. And that the Ondo State off-cycle election sets a precedent for other off-cycle elections to emulate.

“I want to urge all politicians who will sign the accord to fully commit themselves and their parties to the letter and spirit of the accord. Shun violence and intimidation and remember that as politicians, you must demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, as that is a key trait of good leadership.

“So, it is the sincere hope of the National Peace Committee that the Ondo State election will be free, fair, credible, and peaceful,” the NPC chairman said.

Abubakar, who commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the work done so far, called on them to continuously live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that eligible voters exercise their franchise peacefully.

READ ALSO:INEC to allow candidates, media, others inspect Ondo election materials

Earlier, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC’s National Chairman, commended the committee for their timely efforts in bringing parties and candidates together for peaceful elections in Nigeria.

Yakubu said that seven peace accords had been signed in off-cycle elections since inception in 2020. He called on religious leaders, traditional leaders, security agencies, and others to join hands with the commission for a peaceful election.

“To all political parties and candidates, signing of the peace accord alone will not guarantee a peaceful election. The peace accord is never ultimate, but your commitment to its implementation is crucial.

“So, you have signed the peace accord; you should commit yourself to its implementation and pass the message to your supporters to comply and honour the effort. I have said repeatedly that to honour the effort and sacrifices of the chairman and members of the NPC, we must ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria,” Yakubu said.

Also, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by DIG Abiodun Alabi, said that 36,637 personnel would be deployed to all the 3,933 polling units and 203 wards across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State.

“We are going to deploy four personnel to each of the polling units to protect the INEC materials, officials, and electorate during and after the election,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) promised to abide by the laws and regulations guiding the election process.