Tambuwal, Wali shun peace parley in Sokoto

A peace accord, akin to the one signed between President Goodluck Jonathan and the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag bearer, General Muhammadu Buhari, planned for yesterday in Sokoto could not be signed because the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and his PDP counterpart, Ambassador Abdallah Wali, were absent.

   The meeting was presided over by the AIG in charge of Zone 10, Bala Hassan.

   The AIG who was disappointed as no representatives of the two political parties agreed to sign on behalf of their candidates, said it was necessary to sign the peace accord so that “nobody will be used to foment trouble or no inflammatory statement will be made that could scuttle the democratic process.”

   He noted that the level of political intolerance during campaigns and rallies had reached an alarming level and that if nothing was done these negative trends could continue till March 28 and even after the elections.

   “The zone will not fold its hands and watch political gladiators using the youth to foment trouble, destroy posters and attack innocent citizens,” he said.

   He added that, “the action of these misguided youths had caused untold hardship to many, resulting in breakdown of law and order occasioned by loss of lives and property.”

   He therefore called on political leaders to eschew violence and embrace politics without bitterness.