Ahead of the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State, candidates for the poll, sign an accord for peaceful election in the state
This means that the party and candidates have signed a peace pact to ensure a violence-free election.
The Peace Accord signing ceremony held in Akure, Ondo State capital on Tuesday.
Candidates for the poll which include, Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and other candidates signed the peace pact facilitated by the National Peace Committee (NPC) on Tuesday.
They all pledged to shun violence during the election and avoid actions that may undermine the peace accord.
Speaking at the ceremony, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said, “Without peace, our deployment plans, new innovations in result management, safety of personnel, security of materials and above all, credibility of elections will be undermined.”
Sultan of Sokoto, Abukabar Saa’d; Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah; former Bishop of Abuja Diocese, John Onaiyekan, and traditional rulers among others witnessed the signing.
The signing of the peace accord was witnessed by Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police; Mahmoud Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); and traditional rulers from the state.
Others in attendance were Abdulsalam Abubakar, former head of state; Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto; Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto diocese, and John Onaiyekan, former Catholic archbishop of Abuja.
Akeredolu while speaking recalled that previous elections in the state had been peaceful and opined that the Saturday’s poll will also be peaceful.
He, therefore, urged the people to keep away from violence, assuring that the three major candidates who he said are colleagues will also meet to discuss on how to ensure that peace reigns before, during and after the election.
Akeredolu assured that peace will reign during the election on Saturday and appealed to INEC to ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.
The PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede called on the police and other security agencies to be neutral in the discharge of their duties during the election.
Jegede urged the security agencies, especially the Police to arrest and prosecute anyone who foment troubles during the election
The ZLP candidate Hon Agboola Ajayi who is also the deputy governor of the state assured that members of his party will respect the accord signed.
More Details Shortly…
