Former Head of State and chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC) General Abdulsalami Abubakar has appealed to candidates of the 17 political parties contesting the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State to accept the outcome of the election as far as the electoral process is credible, free and fair.
Abubakar stated this yesterday in Akure, the state capital, during the signing of a peace accord initiated by the National Peace Committee (NPC).
Addressing the gathering, the former Head of State urged politicians who signed the agreement to fully commit themselves and their parties to the letter and spirit of the accord.
“You must shun violence and intimidation and remember that as politicians, you must demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship as that is a key trait of good leadership,” he said.
While asking the candidates and their supporters to refrain from making statements that could incite violence within this period, especially after the results, Abdulsalami said, “As citizens, you must also respect that only the INEC has the constitutional authority to announce the results. Therefore, it behooves the party leaders to ensure that they play a critical role in encouraging their supporters to refrain from making statements that will incite violence within this period, especially after the results.
“I want to call on all stakeholders to work assiduously in their capacities to ensure that peace reigns supreme during this election and that the Ondo State off-cycle election sets a precedent for other off-cycle elections to emulate.
“| also urge the party leaders and candidates to accept the outcome of the elections as long as it is judged to be free, fair and credible, and to seek legitimate and peaceful means of addressing any concern that may arise thereafter.”
Abdulsalami commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the work done so far and called on the commission to continuously live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that eligible voters exercise their franchise peacefully and that the remaining electoral processes are credible, free and fair.
Earlier, INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, assured the gathering that the commission had taken measures to address election day challenges, ‘especially the perennial challenge of logistics.’
“Over the last four days, I have engaged with our officials, security agencies and transport service providers here in Ondo State to assess our readiness and perfect our arrangements for the movement of over 17,000 ad hoc and regular officials as well as large quantities of materials to 4,154 voting and collation locations (3,933 polling units, 203 wards and 18 LGA collation centres).”
