The General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee (NPC) has called on the people of Ekiti State to choose peace above electoral violence in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
This committee also stated that a peace accord would be signed by the various political parties and stakeholders on Wednesday, 15th June, 2022, at the Amazing Grace Events Hall, Ikokun, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
A statement signed yesterday by its chairman, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Abuja urged everyone taking part in the Ekiti State governorship election to follow due process, and conduct themselves with civility and patriotism.
NPC said with the Ekiti State off-cycle governorship elections scheduled for June 18, 2022, the good people of Ekiti are once again called upon to step out without fear, but with the hope to exercise their franchise and vote to deepen the democratic process in Ekiti.
It said with general elections months away, and despite the spike in violence across the country, the Ekiti State governorship elections offer a glimmer of hope and a window of opportunity to assess how the 2023 elections will span out.
The statement reads in part: “The commitment of the people of Ekiti to democratic ideals and the tenacity of ordinary Nigerians in support of our democracy and its processes must be applauded in all its ramifications.”
On 2023 election, the Peace Committee said that the 2023 election may not be the best as can be attested to by the monetisation of the process, the acrimonious conduct of the recent party primaries, and the elevation of the ‘delegate position’ over and above the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
It added that in the run-up to the Ekiti governorship elections, the people of Ekiti are the ones mobilised to attend the rallies, and on election day, they will most certainly abandon their means of livelihood, line up for hours at polling units, often under harsh weather conditions, with no absolute guarantee for safety of their lives.
“Yet, they will patiently wait and vote with the hope that things will be better and that their living conditions will at least improve.
“They carry the hope of generations yet unborn. This set of voters, not just in Ekiti, but across the country, are the real custodians of democracy.
“Their willingness to step out and vote despite the disappointments that seem to accompany previous elections indicate that democracy in all its limitations has been accepted as the best form of government for Nigeria.
“We are aware that the 2023 election may not be the best – as can be attested to by the monetisation of the process, the acrimonious conduct of the recent party primaries, and the elevation of the ‘delegate position’ over and above the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
“We urge all the people taking part in the Ekiti state governorship to follow due process, and conduct themselves with civility and patriotism. They should not take the laws into their hands – no matter the grievances they may hold against individuals, against the state, or against electoral bodies or security agencies.”
In particular, NPC called on youths not to make themselves pawns in the political chessboard of the political class.
It said the youths must realise that the security, stability, and future of Nigeria remain their common patrimony.
“They must make themselves available to become ambassadors of peace, retaining hope in Nigeria and support the democratic process in Ekiti state, and Nigeria in general.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and the political candidates in the Ekiti State governorship elections should know that the eyes of Nigerians, and indeed the world, are on them.
“The conduct and peaceful outcome of the Ekiti State off-cycle elections will put to test, all the claims of reforms and strategic policy implementations of the last four years. We expect that a level playing field should be provided for all contestants – irrespective of the party under which they are contest
The committee further urged the media, including social media, to be alert to their responsibilities and eschew reportages that will further inflame passions, including forwarding sensational write-ups, fake news, and ‘alternative fac
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