IN a bid to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections, Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar who is the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other governorship candidates in the state on Friday signed a peace accord.
Other candidates who signed the peace accord were Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Mohammed Ali Pate of the People Redemption Party (PRP), Hajiya Bahijjah Mahmoud of the ACD and Ambassador Shu’aibu Ahmed Adamu of the NNPP as well as candidates of other political parties attended the event at the Bauchi office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Friday.
In a keynote address, the Vice Chancellor, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Professor Saminu Abdulrahman who is the Chief Returning Officer of the gubernatorial election reminded the politicians that democratic power comes from the people.
According to him, the essence of democracy is to provide choice for citizens to elect the best candidates and they also hold the power to elect their leaders and representatives. He called on the candidates to showcase their abilities instead of engaging in campaigns that may divide the people or bring violence.
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In his address, the Head of INEC Election and Party Monitoring Unit, Ahmed Alhaji Waziri said that, the pact is to ensure the conduct of peaceful campaigns and elections in the state.
“We, therefore, appeal to all relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance to the laid down procedures so as to achieve the desired objective of having a free, fair and credible election devoid of violence,” he said.
While speaking, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sanusi N. Lemu who was represented by DCP Adamu Alhaji Aliyu called on the candidates and their supporters to shun violence and embrace the ideals of the peace accord.
According to him, the peace accord is a step towards the realisation of a peaceful election in 2019 in Bauchi State.
Also speaking after the signing of the peace accord, Governor Abubakar maintained that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he has made a covenant with the people to ensure their safety and peace.
He, therefore, urged all political stakeholders, community and religious leaders to join hands in ensuring that peace reigns in the state.
Speaking on behalf of other governorship candidates, the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Mohammed said that, they are committed to the peace accord they signed.
He, however, warned that they will not allow themselves to be cheated in any way through manipulations, violence or cancellation of results to give an advantage to any candidate.
He, therefore, called on INEC, security agencies and other government agencies to maintain their neutrality in the election process.
In his closing remarks, the Bauchi State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi said that the signing of the peace accord by political parties and candidates is a great milestone.
According to him, peace is a recipe for democratic success because, without peace, there will be no elections as citizens will not be able to participate in the election process or come out to vote.
“We in the Independent National Electoral Commission will continue to fine tune the election process and will leave no stone unturned to ensure we deliver free, fair and credible elections,” she said.
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