Eighteen political parties that will feature in Saturday’s Kogi governorship election have signed a peace accord ahead of the poll, The Herald reports.
Some of the parties were the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the Action Alliance (AA).
Others include the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
Speaking at the ceremony, retired Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, appealed to the conscience of the governorship candidates in the state.
Abubakar, represented by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, urged the parties to abide by the accord during the election.
He said that he was beginning to have serious doubts on the seriousness and commitment on the part of candidates involved in the peace accord.
“This is because it has become a ritual of signing with no fruitful results or meeting up the expectations of the Nigerian citizens. The players should know that we can’t be deceived over and over again.
“I’m optimistic that if we do things in the right way, the nation will prosper. And this is my hope and prayers.
“If the major players of this accord will play the game according to the rules of the game, we shall be better off as a nation.
“Therefore, we expect them to keep this accord and ensure that the election of Saturday, Nov. 11 will be free, fair and peaceful, ” he said