Nasarawa APC governorship candidate commits to peaceful election

Mr Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa state governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, expressed commitment toward ensuring peaceful election in the state.

Sule made the commitment in Lafia while appending his signature to the peace pact document at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Lafia.

The peace pact was initiated by INEC, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

Our correspondent reports that 12 governorship candidates, out of the 28 candidates vying for the one seat political seat in the state on Jan. 18, signed the pact.

Sule, who was absent at the initial peace pact signing ceremony apologised, saying that he was away in Lagos at the time.

He commended INEC and other stakeholders for the initiative, saying that it would go a long way toward ensuring the success of the forthcoming general elections.

The governorship candidate promised to abide by the content of the peace pact to the letter.

According to him, APC has been championing the cause of peace in the state as exemplified by the efforts of Gov.Umaru Al-Makura.

Dr Uthman Ajidagba, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, said the peace pact was part of the commission’s effort to enhance existing peaceful political environment for the conduct of 2019 general elections.

He also said at the signing ceremony on Jan. 18 that, candidates who were not able to sign the peace pact then, would be have the opportunity to do same at INEC office, subsequently.

Ajidagba noted that electoral violence in Nigeria was worrisome, hence the need for commitment from stakeholders to stem the tide, during the forthcoming polls.

He identified hate speech and fake news as factors fueling electoral violence and appealed to political parties and their supporters to desist from such act.

“I appeal that your campaign should be issues-based rather than character assassination of opponents.

“My plea is that, as we undertake this signing ceremony, all of us should in words and actions be truly committed to this peace accord,” Ajidagba said.

He also urged political parties to enlighten their supporters on the voting procedure in order to reduce invalid votes.