Five out of the sixteen Governorship Candidates participating in this Saturday’s Election in Ekiti State were absent at the venue of peace Accord signed today in Ado Ekiti.
The Chairman, NationaI Peace Committee and former Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar and the Chairman, Independent NationaI Electoral Commission, INEC, professor Mamhood Yakubu facilitated the peace Accord signed by the Candidates and party Chairmen.
General Abubakar who was represented by the convener of the Peace Accord and Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hasan Kukah said the peace idea was initiated in 2015 when the Nation’s peace was being threatened as a result of Politcal activities.
He explained that similar peace Accords were signed by Governorship Candidates during the previous elections held in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states which brought about peace in the three states.
General Abubakar called on the Governorship Candidates in Ekiti State to abide by the peace Accord in the interest of peace and development.
In his remarks, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu reassured the people of Ekiti that the Electoral body would do everything possible to deliver free, fair and credible election in the state on Saturday.
He however appealed to the Governorship Candidates to educate their supporters to be law abiding.
Also, the chairman, Council of Obas in Ekiti and the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon said royal fathers across the state have sensitized their subjects on the need to conduct themselves peacefully during the poll.
In his submission, the Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC in Ekiti State, Mr Ifedayo IYANUWURA charged security agencies and the electoral umpire not to support any of the political parties so that the purpose of the peace Accord would be achieved.
On his part, the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN in Ekiti State, Reverend Peter Olowolafe who spoke through Pastor Adekunle Samuel appealed to all stakeholders not to do anything that can undermine the peace of the state.
Some of the Governorship Candidates promised to abide by the peace Accord but urged INEC not to compromise.
However, the Governorship Candidates of Accord Party, AP, Labour Party, LP, Young Progressive Party, YPP, Peoples’ Democratic party, PDP and Allied Peoples’ Movement, APM were absent at the peace Accord.
In the meantime, the INEC in Ekiti State has taken delivery of the sensitive materials meant to this Saturday’s Governorship election in the state.
The materials will be distributed to the electoral officers tomorrow (Thursday) at INEC state Headquarters in Ado Ekiti.
By Amos Ogunrinde
