No fewer than 50 governorship candidates, including incumbent governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal signed peace accord in Sokoto ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The event as jointly organized by International Republican Institute, (IRI), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and USAID was aimed at promoting peace before, during and after elections.
According to the Resident Programme Director, Mr Sentel Barnes it will also amongst other things, make political parties, and their candidates more responsive to the electorate.
Said Sentel, “Political parties are only responsive when they understand and incorporate citizens priorities into their policy agendas and also allow effective representatives when marginalized groups are integrated into their activities”.
Speaking ealier, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Dioceses and chairman of the occasion, Matthew Hassan Kukah the tradition of signing peace accord ahead of elections was a commendable initiative whose mission is to ensure a sustained peaceful existence before and after any poll.
According to him, the peace accord is a moral burden with the potentials of discouraging political gladiators from instigating unacceptable acts, guarantee free, fair and credible election.
On his part, governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal maintained that no nation can develop without peace, just as he commended the initiators of the peace accord.
While warning politicians of the dangers in breeding youths in the negative ways simply because of election, admonished those seeking leadership positions to be very passionate about positive future for the youths and not the other way round.
“If we, politicians encouraged youths to attacked innocent people, business environments, the society will be endangered
“I urged fellow contestants and other politicians not to use vulgar and inciting languages. And I also beg politicians not to consider election as do-or-die affair.
“The election is a process which have different stages and leadership is a destiny which Allah has destined to individuals He wishes”. Said Tambuwal
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Sokoto state, Alhaji Musa Abubakar, said the initiative was a good step in the right direction.
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