President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday have on Wednesday promised to ensure violence-free elections.
Buhari, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku, who is representing the Peoples Democratic Party for Saturday’s presidential poll, gave their separate assurance at the signing of the National Peace Accord at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The event had in attendance the former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete, former Botswana President Festus Moghai and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland.
Noting that the 2019 elections is pivotal to the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy, Buhari said “I am not saying this because I was blessed to emerge as the winner. I am saying there has been a lot of fear and anxiety within and outside Nigeria about the future of the country. We are hopeful that this is evidence that we are all maturing in our disposition towards electoral outcomes.”
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“To all our citizens, I want to thank you. As we go into the elections in a few days, please let us pray for our country. Let us use this opportunity to strengthen our beliefs in a united country. Our elections are important only to the extent that they make our country peaceful and prepare us for development,” Buhari added.
Buhari also cautioned youths against being used for electoral violence.
“We will vote according to parties, but in the end, the only real party is Nigeria, our country,” the President added.
Also speaking at the event, Atiku reiterated former President Goodluck Jonathan’s comment ahead of the 2015 presidential election that “my second-term ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
According to him, “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.
“I appeal once again to INEC and the police to be fair arbiters in the upcoming elections, while letting neutrality prevail.
“For emphasis and in the spirit of fair play, I also urge our security agencies not to arrest of members of the opposition indiscriminately 24 or 48 hours before elections, as has been the case in the previous elections.”
He added, “Consequently, I also appeal to the President, General Buhari, to use his good offices to ensure that every eligible person who casts their vote is confident in the process and in the belief that their vote will count.”