… Aiyedatiwa Promises To Accept Poll’s Outcome
Sam Philip
All the 17 governorship candidates participating in the November 16 off-circle gubernatorial election in Ondo State on Friday signed peace accord with a view to ensuring peaceful conduct of the election.
This was organised by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee.
At the programme, candidates and chairmen of all the participating political parties were present at the signing of the Ondo State Peace Accord which took place at The Dome, Alagbaka, Akure.
In his address , the candidates, the Chairman, National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar(retd) said the Peace Accord is meant “to commit the gubernatorial candidates and their party Chairmen to support a peaceful and credible electoral process and promote the ideals of peace and democracy.”
He charged the candidates, chairmen and all stakeholders accept the outcome of the election
Abdulsalami said: “| also urge the party leaders and candidates to accept the outcome of the elections as long as it is adjudged to be free, fair, and credible, and to seek legitimate and peaceful means of addressing any concern that may arise thereafter.
“I want to call on all stakeholders to work assiduously in their capacities to ensure that peace reigns supreme during this election and that the Ondo State off-cycle election sets a precedent for other off-cycle elections to emulate.”
Abdulsalami, therefore, charged all the candidates and the chairmen who signed the accord to fully commit themselves and their parties to the letter and spirit of the accord to shun violence and intimidation.
He added that the participating candidates and political parties “must demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, as that is a key trait of good leadership.”
Meanwhile, the committee commended the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for the work done so far, charging the Commission to “continuously live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that eligible voters exercise their franchise peacefully and that the remaining electoral processes are credible free, and fair.”
All security agencies were also commended on maintaining peace and security in the state till date.
In his address, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said: “I am also glad to note that so far, there has been no major election-related indent in Ondo State known to INEC.
“I am confident that with the signing of the Peace Accord today, the proactive measures taken by the security agencies, the roles played by our respected traditional rulers, the community and religious leaders, civil society organisations, the mass media and all other stakeholders, the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election will, by the grace of God, be peaceful.
“For our part, I want to assure you that we have taken measures to address election day challenges, especially the perennial challenge of logistics.”
However, the Governor of Ondo, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa assured the NPC and other stakeholders that he would accept the outcome of the election.
Present at the event is the convener, Archbishop Matthew Kukah.