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| APC presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu signing the peace treaty |
Political parties and their presidential candidates signed the second national peace deal on Monday, the 22nd of Feb. 2023, promising not only calm elections but also acceptance of the results.
The peace treaty was signed at the International Conference Centre in Abuja by the presidential candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Musa Kwankwaso and others.
The National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, rtd, staged the second event in the series in collaboration with the Kukah Centre.
President Muhammadu Buhari charged the contestants and their political parties in his goodwill message at the well-attended event to respect the choice of voters and accept the results of the elections as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the agency empowered by law to do so.
The president, who reminded Nigerians that they had no other country except Nigeria, tasked them with doing all possible to keep the country secure, unified, and peaceful, adding that there should be no riots or acts of violence when the election results were announced.
According to him, all grievances, whether personal or institutional, should be directed to the appropriate courts.
The president assured INEC, security agencies, and all other organizations tasked with overseeing the polls of his administration's unwavering support.
He also charged them with remaining firm and fearless while administering the polls in accordance with the laws and constitutional norms. “We will operate impartially” — Buhari
"I would first like to congratulate the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and all the members; extremely prominent Nigerians, for their dedication and sacrifices to ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria," President Buhari said in his remarks.
"In September 2022, the Chairman politely requested that I deliver a goodwill message in support of issue-based and peaceful campaigning and political rallies free of insults and personal assaults. This is at the heart of my own thinking and conviction: we need to focus more on topics that are important to Nigerians.
"Despite having no financial assistance from the government, the Peace Committee has remained strong, working with key authorities to provide a moral compass and function as an independent body for alternative conflict settlement on the electoral process. I applaud the Committee's dedication and patriotism not only to the electoral process but also to Nigerian peace in general.
“I am aware of the serious concerns that have been expressed about the conduct of the 2023 general elections and the outcomes that may result. Yet, since taking office, my administration has worked tirelessly to guarantee that we leave a legacy of free, fair, credible, safe, and peaceful elections. We shall maintain our impartiality and let the rule of law prevail over political expediency. We proved this with off-cycle elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states. We let Nigerians choose who would govern them. We are devoted to this legacy until the very last day of my presidency.
" I want to assure INEC, the security forces, and all other institutions tasked with overseeing the elections of my administration's unwavering support. I ask you to be firm and bold in administering the elections, and to follow the laws and constitutional obligations."
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