TheCable

Sixteen governorship candidates and their party chairmen have signed a pact to maintain peace in Kwara state before, during and after February general election.

Emmanuel Onucheyo, the resident electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, presided over the accordm tagged ‘Anti-violence Pact’.

Onucheyo said Kwara was the first state in the country to take a cue from the Abuja Accord among the presidential candidates.

The governorship flagbearers are Simeon Ajibola of the Peoples Democratic (PDP), Abdulfatah Ahmed of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyewumi Felicia Ajibola of Action Alliance (AA) and Comfort Kayode of the United Progressive Party (UPP).

Others are Musa Kolawole (AD), Alabi Morakinyo (Kowa Party), Oshin David (UDP), Alabi Kolawole (SDP), Babatunde Tayo (MPPP), Mike Omotosho (LP) and Tiamiyu Kamarudeen (PPA).

Also among them are Adigun Adewale (PPN), Ayinla Oloruntoba (NCP), Bamidele Omotosho (CPP), and Abraham Babatunde (ACPN).

They all promised to run issue-based campaigns and refrain from religious, ethnic or tribal sentiments.

The candidates pledged not to make any public statement, pronouncement, declaration or speeches that could incite violence.

The candidates also resolved to speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence, whether perpetrated by their supporters or opponents.

They promised to commit themselves and their political parties to monitor the adherence of the peace accord, and if necessary by a state peace committee.

Speaking after signing the pact, Simeon Ajibola of PDP commended the heads of security agencies for initiating the move.

He appealed to all the candidates and leaders of political parties to take the message to their members across the state.

Abdulfatah Ahmed, the governor of the state and candidate of APC, gave assurance that his party would abide by the accord.

Ahmed expressed his commitment to a peaceful environment, suggesting that the accord should be extended to the local government areas.

In her remarks, Action Alliance governorship candidate, Felicia Ajibola, said as a mother and a candidate, she was the most grateful.

She called on the umpires to also sign an accord to be faithful and unbiased during the election.