June 15, (THEWILL) – The National Peace Commission (NPC) has appealed to the people of Ekiti State to uphold the ideals of democracy and ensure that Saturday’s gubernatorial election is free, fair and credible.
Chairman of the Peace Commission, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who made the call, charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that voters are not faced with any obstacles.
Gen. Abubakar, represented by the Convener, National Peace Committee, Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, spoke on Wednesday, at the signing of the Peace Accord by Ekiti State Governorship candidates.
Eleven governorship candidates signed the Peace Accord, while five others boycotted the ceremony held in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Those who signed the peace pact include candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Action Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Action People’s Party (APP), and Action Democratic Party (ADP)
Others are: African Action Congress (AAC), National Rescue Movement (NRM), People’s Redemption Party ( PRP), Zenith Labour Party ( ZLP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),
The candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Young Progressives Party, (YPP) Labour Party (LP), Accord Party (AP), and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) boycotted the peace pact.
The Chairman, called on residents in the state to take advantage of the off season election provided to vote and elect leaders of their choice.
“We are now witnessing a joyful surge of excitement across the country over the issue of voter registration. Nigerians are now using various platforms from faith-based association, civil society groups, ethnic and community platforms to assist other federal and state government agencies to encourage voter registration among our people.
“Since the 2015 elections, when the NPC came into being, we at the NPC over the years have gradually been woven into the beautiful fabric of the good work of the INEC.
“The collaboration has given birth to the various successful amendments to the electoral law which has also helped to strengthen the confidence of Nigerians in their electoral processes.”
The NPC appealed to the people to come out en masse on the election day and vote and stay alive.
On his part, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu commended the intervention of NPC, saying the committee has contributed in no small measure in ensuring peace in the country.
Yakubu, who said that INEC would conduct a transparent and credible election, assured that the votes of Ekiti people will count.
In his remarks, the chairman, Ekiti State Council of traditional rulers, Oba Ayodele Adejuwon, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, said Obas in the state would not tolerate any bloodshed during the poll, calling on Ekiti people to vote without violence.
Speaking to journalists, Bishop Kukah advised the people of Ekiti to exercise their franchise.
He further urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of holding elected leaders accountable in order to deliver their promises while in office.
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