2023: Presidential candidates, party leaders sign first peace accord
Accord
By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The leadership of the 18 registered political parties and their Presidential candidates on Thursday signed the first peace accord to commit themselves to peaceful conduct during the campaign period of the 2023 general elections.
The Presidential candidates include of the Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party; Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, represented by his running mate, Kashim Shettima; Peter Obi of the Labour Party; and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
Others also include Adewale Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party counterparts, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd); and Justice Peter Umeadi, the flag bearer of the All Progressive Grand Alliance.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Peace Accord, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) said that the signing of the peace accord which started in 2015 was still relevant as the issue of fake news and misinformation posed threat to 2023 elections.
Abubakar thanked political parties, party chairmen and candidates, and indeed all members for turning out, in both 2015 and 2019 to signed peace accord.
He said that despite all the challenges, NPC’s efforts contributed significantly to mitigating the violent conflicts in those elections.
“Now, the 2023 general elections around the corner, issues of major concern that have the potential to negatively impact on the integrity are imagine. One of such issues is the spread of fake news.
“Thus, fake news and misinformation continue to pose a significant threat to 2023 general elections. I’m told already the fake news have also declared the winner so far, even before the election.
“It has shifted focus away from the issue based campaigns and created the platform for political parties to resort to name calling, personal insults and character assassination.
“Furthermore, it has taken away our civility and decency in public discourse and conversations and created a toxic atmosphere that has the potential to incite citizens against the state, against other political parties and candidates.
“It is for this reason that the NPC has organised the signing of two peace accords with the 2023 general elections.’’
Abubakar explained that the first peace of accord which holds today (Thursday) was to commit all political parties, presidential candidates and their spokesperson to peaceful political presidential campaigns and rallies, devoid of violence, incitement and personal insult.
He said it was also to ensure that the campaign were defined by issues at the very heart of the national development and progress.
“The second accord, God willing, will come up shortly before the elections, and it is intended to commit the candidate to accepting the outcome of the votes as long it is adjudged to be free, fair and credible. We hope this will take place sometimes in January next year.’’
Abubakar also urged political parties and their candidate to base their campaign on issues affecting the country and not personal attacks of fake news.
“It is time for us to promote issue based campaigns. We are calling on politicians to address issues that are fundamental to the Nigerian citizens.
“We also want to promote respect tolerance for differences in opinions. We want to ensure that there is civility and decency in public discourse.
“Therefore, on behalf of all the members of the NPC and all Nigerians I am appealing to the political parties, party chairman, candidates and their spokesperson to please campaign on the basis of issues that are of significant concern to Nigerians.
“Please avoid the spread of fake news, personal attacks and insults and comply with the speech and letter of the accord.
“Finally. I want to appeal to the electorate themselves to know that the issue of malpractices helped by the electoral themselves, does no good to our electoral process.’’
A student of Spiritan International Girls’ Secondary School, Abuja, Miss Naomi Oloyede in her spoken words urged leaders and political actors especially candidates in the 2023 to put the country first in all their conducts.
Naomi, a 14 years old secondary school student to avoid violence put promote peace during their election campaigns.
“As you start your campaigns, please, in the name of God, have our future in mind and try to leave safe country for us.
“This is not the time to settle scores. This is the best gift you can give us, and the greatest assurance that you will retire in peace. When you do this, then you will be remembered with fondness and not blame.
`I look forward to growing in a beautiful country where there is peace and the rule of law is respected,’’ Oloyede said.
The Chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC) Yabaji Sani in his remarks pledged that all the political parties were committed to peaceful, credible and reliable election in Nigeria.
Sani, who is also the National Chairman and Presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), said they prayed for that to happen for Nigeria to continue to maintain it leadership in the Africa continent and committee of nations.
“on behalf all political parties I congratulate Nigerians that 2023 general election is going to be free, fair and credible.”