All of the general election contestants have been urged by President Muhammadu Buhari to accept the results as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission in order to avoid any sour relations (INEC).
He counseled any candidate who was unhappy with the results of any polling level to seek justice in court rather than adopting steps that would cause a crisis.
Moreover, President Buhari urged INEC and the security services to conduct the elections, which begin on Saturday with the presidential and national assembly elections, with “firmness and courage.”
The President made the appeal at the signing of the Second Peace Agreement, which was overseen by the National Peace Committee, which is directed by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, a presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress, joined his primary rivals Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Rabiu KwaNkwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in signing the second peace agreement (NNPP).
Gen. Yakubu Gowon, a former head of state, former presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, and Joyce Hilda Banda of Malawi, as well as Patricia Scotland, the secretary-general of the Commonwealth, Samuela Isopi, the head of delegation for the European Union, Abdel Musah, the commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security for the ECOWAS Commission, and Ene Obi, the country director for Ac
All of the presidential contenders, who agreed that their politics would be free of insults and personal assaults, signed the first peace agreement in September 2022.
Buhari pleaded with the candidates to accept the voters’ decision while assuring them that his administration would be impartial.
A “legacy of free, fair, credible, safe, and peaceful elections” is something the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to.
“I am aware of the serious concerns that have been voiced about the conduct of the general elections in 2023 and the possible results,” he said.
But my government has worked really hard since I took office to make sure that we leave a legacy of free, fair, credible, safe, and peaceful elections.
The rule of law will continue to take precedence over political expediency as we act impartially as always.
“With the off-circle elections in the states of Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun, we proved that.
“We gave Nigerians the power to choose their own leaders. We will remain dedicated to this legacy until the very last day of my presidency.
“I therefore beg the candidates running in these elections at all levels to respect the will of the voters and accept the outcome as declared by INEC, the official election-announcement body mandated by law to do so.
We must have faith in our legal systems so that all wronged candidates can seek remedy through the proper court processes.
“I once again request the candidates to uphold the word and spirit of the Agreement they signed today” (yesterday).
I’m telling Nigerians as your president that this is the only country we have and that we must take all necessary measures to maintain it secure, unified, and peaceful.
After the election results are announced, there shouldn’t be any rioting or violent crimes.
“Any grievances, whether institutional or personal, should be directed to the appropriate courts.”
The President reaffirmed his administration’s ongoing support for INEC, security agencies, and other key institutions tasked with running the elections while also praising the Peace Committee for its “excellent effort.”
“Thus, I request that you conduct the elections in accordance with the law and the requirements of the constitution with firmness and courage.
In order to strengthen the integrity of the polls, he added, “We must constantly improve our electoral process using technology and all the wonderful elements it brings.”
The peace committee, according to Buhari, “has carved a position for itself not just in Nigerians’ hearts, but also at the very center of the electoral process.”
He urged all other organizations and global development partners to support the peace committee fully during the election process.
Gowon, Jonathan, Abubakar, and the Scottish task candidates
Both Gowon and former president Goodluck Jonathan urged all candidates and leaders of political parties to act with goodwill by emphasizing to their supporters and members that the election is not a battle.
Gowon emphasized the value of peace, saying: “Peace is a crucial element that fosters political, social, and economic prosperity in every democracy.
“I fervently urge the political actors to support peace. And maintain goodwill in all interactions before, during, and after the elections.
“Our nation is in need of leaders who are dedicated to bringing Nigerians together as well as those who will take charge of bringing and ensuring that the benefits of democracy are delivered to the people and the nation.
“May I urge those who are still determined to sabotage the upcoming elections to think twice about the action.” 44 percent of the first Peace Accord’s infractions, according to General Abubakar, were committed by representatives of different political parties.
They haven’t been running issue-based campaigns, he claimed.
The major political parties didn’t comply, according to the previous head of state.
The spokespersons of the political parties committed 44% of the infractions, followed by party members 26% of the time, the presidential candidates themselves 19% of the time, ardent fans 11% of the time, and party chairmen 4% of the time.
Also, there has been a lot of violence in January alone, with at least 15 kidnappings (including one involving a police officer), at least 30 homicides (including 11 involving security personnel), and at least six attacks on political campaign gatherings.
There must be an end to such behaviors, including assaults on INEC premises, according to Gen. Abubakar.
“I want to encourage political parties to respect that only the INEC has the constitutional authority to declare the results, and to make sure that their supporters refrain from disseminating false information, false news, and disinformation, as well as refrain from making statements that will incite violence after the results of the elections have been declared.
In a similar vein, I implore all political parties, presidential contenders, and indeed all Nigerians to resist the temptation of using shaky polls to sow discord in the democratic system.
Jonathan highlighted the significance of the agreement the candidates made in 2015 in a speech that was delivered by Bishop Matthew Kukar, Convener of the Peace Committee.
“Today’s appeal pledges all presidential candidates, party chairman and members to accept the results of the elections, provided that they are deemed to be free, fair, and credible,” he stated.
“I and my successor, His Excellency President Buhari, signed a similar agreement in the run-up to the 2015 general elections, pledging ourselves to free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections.
In the second accord, we made it quite clear that we would follow the results of the voting.
“I think that was the best approach to bolster our democracy, prevent looming conflict, and restore peace to our beloved country.
Given the high levels of stress and apprehension so far in the lead-up to these elections, there is no better moment to make this promise than right now.
It is now up to the candidates and party leaders to show kindness and make it clear to their supporters and members that this election is not a battle.
“To strengthen democracy across the continent, particularly in our sub-region where it is under threat from a wave of unlawful political transitions, we need free and fair elections.
I thus request that the presidential candidates, party leaders, and members respect Nigerians’ decision and support the politics of peace.
The presidential election, according to Scotland’s Commonwealth Secretary-General, was special due to Nigeria’s position as Africa’s economic powerhouse.
“I am requesting that every voter in this election be courageous enough to take it,” she added.
“Those who lead and those who follow, for you are Nigeria, a nation brimming with the vitality and audacity of a young people eager to determine the future.
“This election is particularly significant because you are Nigeria, the economic and political giant of Africa and the world’s rising star. You are a nation enriched by many differences and strengthened by your common desire to live honorable lives. You are a proud nation that has chosen the path of peace.
“Everyone is watching you. At the dawn of your independence, power towers dreamed of a country where all of our communities coexisted in peace and harmony. This was their hopeful, loving, and assured gaze.
