LAGOS – Some socio-political and cultural groups in Nigeria on Thursday urged politicians to abide by the violence-free accord signed by presidential candidates on the February elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Goodluck Jonathan, retired Gen. [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]Mohammadu Buhari and eight other presidential candidates signed the violence-free accord on Wednesday.
They signed the agreement in Abuja at a 2015 General Elections Sensitisation Workshop on [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]Non-violence, organised for the presidential candidates of all political parties.
The Office of the National Security Adviser and Office of the Special Adviser to the President on [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”8″]
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]Inter-Party Affairs organised it.
A former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku were among dignitaries who witnessed the signing.
Reacting to the development, Mr Yinka Odumakin, the Spokesman for the Yoruba Socio Cultural Organisation – Afenifere – described it as commendable.
Odumakin told NAN on telephone that it was delightful that politicians thought of how to ensure violence-free elections.
“Beyond the dotted lines, it is necessary that it is obeyed.
“The message in the pact is more for young Nigerians to ensure that no politician uses them for violence.
“Nigerians should begin to ask themselves why politicians should use them rather than their (politicians’) children to unleash terror,” he said.
The Afenifere spokesman said that Nigeria should not experience any more violence.
“If we allow any more fires, there may not be enough firefighters to put it out,” he said.
Mr Tony Uranta, the Executive Secretary of the United Niger Delta Energy Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), also hailed the development.
“We welcome every step toward ensuring that there is true and lasting peace in Nigeria, especially with respect to the 2015 general elections.
“UNDEDSS strongly recommends that foreign observers of the forthcoming elections must heed to the utterances and actions of all politicians, particularly candidates running for political offices.
“This is with the intent of identifying, exposing and indicting those who ignite violence anywhere in the nation.
“The comity of nations must not allow Nigeria to fall prey to the evil desires of some agents of destabilisation whose prayer is that our now burgeoning democracy is truncated,” Uranta said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), said that supporters of candidates must also keep the pact.
“It is one thing to sign and another to keep,” he said.
Yerima said that some crises in Nigeria were fuelled by those who use opportunities to make money selfishly.
“We urge the Federal Government and its law enforcement agencies to ensure that no one undermines this pact.
“Violence cannot bring any meaningful development.
“Government must be decisive and come up with a plan on how to make every party and its supporters to be law abiding,” he said.
Dr Frederick Fasehun, the Founder and President of the O’odua People’s Congress (OPC), told NAN that the pact should be binding on all other candidates.
“Any inciting comment by any Nigerian regarding the elections must not be treated with kid gloves.
“Clergymen (Muslims, Christian and others) must also guard their utterances or be made to face the law,” Fasehun said.
Also, Chief Toni Oganah, the Spokesman for the Ohaneze Ndiigbo, remarked that winning an election should be by service and not by force.
“While we congratulate the candidates for the pact, we wish to remind them that election is not a do-or-die affair.
“If you lose today, you may win another time; so, if you expect to win, and Nigerians vote differently, you should accept the verdict.
“Election is for service; if the majority of the people do not want you to serve them, you should accept it if you meant well,” he said.
The official urged those who had made inflammatory statements to withdraw them in the interest of Nigeria’s peace and unity.
NAN reports that accord requires that politicians should
carry out issue-based campaigns at national, state and local government levels.
It also requires that they refrain from making public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that can incite any violence before, during and after the elections.
According to the accord, politicians should oppose all acts of electoral violence by their supporters or opponents.
It also states that there should be monitoring of the adherence to the accord by a national peace committee made up of respected statesmen and women and traditional and religious leaders.
It demands that institutions of government including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies must act and be seen to act with impartiality.
(NAN)