Friday 5th Nov 2021:General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Thursday called on candidates and political parties in the Anambra governorship election to abide by the letters of the peace accord to ensure a free, fair and credible election in the state.
Abubakar who is the Chairman of the National Peace Committee,disclosed that all parties involved must stick to the accord and implore their followers to do so.
The former Head of State, said this at the signing of the peace accord by the chairmen and candidates of the 17 political parties in Anambra, adding that aggrieved parties should not resort to violence but follow the judicial process.The candidates included that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; the Peoples Democratic Party, Valentine Ozigbo; and the All Progressives Congress, Andy Uba.
Abubakar said the accord “is not a mere exercise but a clarion call for stakeholders to commit themselves to a peaceful electoral process.”
He said, “We, members of the National Peace Committee have come to Anambra State to support a peaceful electoral process. We cherish Anambra State, and we cherish the peace and unity of Nigeria. Most importantly, we want to contribute our own quota to see that the governorship election in Anambra State is devoid of violence.
“We call on candidates, their parties and supporters to accept the outcome of the vote as long as it is judged to be free, fair and credible. In the letter and spirit of the accord, any aggrieved party should not resort to violence, but follow a judicial process.”
At the event, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, said the commission had concluded plans to ensure a hitch-free election.
He said, “INEC is ready to organise hitch-free election. The focus of the NPC was initially for the presidential election but having played a major role in a free, fair and credible elections in Edo and Ondo, we called for their support for the Anambra election on Saturday and we are happy they responded.
“We are also hopeful that this election will be without hiccups. We hope the political parties will adhere to the peace accord so that we can have a peaceful election and country.”
