2023 Elections: Presidential Candidates Sign Peace Pact Three Days To Poll
….respect choice of voters, accept outcome of results, Buhari tells candidates
….We’re not supporting any candidate or party – EU Mission
…..EFCC deploys officials for elections, releases hotlines for incidents reporting
…election will hold on Saturday, we are ready -INEC
By Tony Oboh
The presidential candidates of 18 political parties signed a pact towards a peaceful election this Saturday.
All the candidates converged on the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Wednesday for the landmark occasion.
Among the presidential candidates present were Bola Tinubu (APC); Peter Obi (LP), Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP), and Dan Nwanyanwu (ZLP).
Unlike elections prior to 2015 when the National Peace Committee came into existence, presidential candidates for the 2023 polls are made to sign the Peace Accord twice.
The first one was signed in September last year, prior to the commencement of Campaigns. That accord was signed to oblige the candidates to a peaceful Campaign.
This signing is the second and the last to be signed by the candidates and is to enlist their commitment to a peaceful conduct of the 2023 presidential election.
President Muhammadu Buhari, in his address, reiterated his commitment to allowing the rule of law to take its course.
The President called on those saddled with the responsibility of conducting the election to allow the electorate to chose who governs them.
He also appealed to the candidates to accept the outcome of the election, and seek legal redress if dissatisfied.
Some of the peace committee members present include General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III.
Others were the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, and former president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, who leads the Commonwealth Election Observer Group to Nigeria.
Again, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reiterated its commitment to conducting the elections as scheduled.
The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, also assured Nigerians of a transparent exercise.
The IGP, in his remarks, decried the lack of compliance with the spirit of the September peace accord, which committed the candidates to issue based Campaign.
Baba appealed to political parties to rein in their supporters to ensure that the election is peaceful.
He also called on the candidates to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan who accepted the outcome of the 2015 elections and helped keep the country’s peace.
In her remarks, the European Union (EU) ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, urged Nigeria to lead by example and send a strong message to the world about consolidating democracy.
She called on all candidates to accept the results of the elections and seek legal redress when dissatisfied.
She restated that the EU Mission is not in Nigeria to support any candidate or political party
Isopi noted that the National Peace Accord plays a crucial role in advancing the integrity of the nation’s elections
The Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Scotland, underscored the importance of the 2023 general elections, stressing the significant position Nigeria occupies on the continent.
EFCC deploys officials for elections, releases hotlines for incidents reporting
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed officials to the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, to monitor the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
In a statement, on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, charged the operatives to be conscious of the interest of the nation.
He also asked the operatives to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Bawa said, “You are out on a national assignment and I expect you to conduct yourselves responsibly in line with our core values of professionalism, integrity and courage.
“You have a responsibility to ensure that this election is devoid of financial malpractices, especially inducement of voters. The attention of the world is focused on Nigeria and we must do what is necessary to ensure that we have credible, free and fair elections.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC has also released hotlines for incidents reporting for the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.
The Commission appealed to the public to report any case of vote buying or selling, or other evidence of financial malpractices designed to compromise the electoral outcome through these hotlines.
Members of the public are asked to report anyone trying to buy or sell votes by making use of the EFCC financial crimes reporting App, Eagle Eye, which is available for download on the Google Play or Apple store.
Additionally, the public can reach the Commission through our social media handle, @officialefcc or by email, info@efcc.gov.ng
The hotlines and Eagle Eye App flyers are as follow.
in the same vein, Mahmood Yakubu, the chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the presidential election date remains February 25.
Speaking on Wednesday at the signing of the national peace accord by presidential candidates, Yakubu said the commission is ready for the presidential and national assembly elections.
He highlighted some activities of the commission to show INEC’s preparedness for the general election, adding that efforts are ongoing to ensure that the polls begin on time.
