Former head of state, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Reverend Mathew Hassan Kukah, have called on all the gubernatorial candidates for Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo State polls to commit to violence-free elections.
This is just as the major candidates in the upcoming governorship elections have engaged in a blame game over who and what is responsible for the violence in their respective states.
Others simply ignored efforts by LEADERSHIP Weekend to gauge their willingness to renounce violence.
As the gubernatorial election in the three states comes up on November 11, 2023, the National Peace Committee (NPC) co-chaired by Abdulsalami and Kukah is concerned about the peace and security in the states, and is keen to commit the candidates into signing a peace agreement.
There have been concerns by Nigerians on why violence persists during elections in Nigeria despite efforts by the electoral umpire and other stakeholders.
To this end, the National Peace Committee said it will not be discouraged by the behaviour of some politicians during elections, insisting that it will try to ensure the process is peaceful based on the commitment of the gubernatorial candidates, their political parties and other stakeholders.
Crefit: Leadership