We’ll Accept Outcome Of Credible Polls – Buhari, Atiku

President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have agreed to simply accept the outcome of unfastened, fair and credible elections.

Buhari, Atiku and other candidates within the February sixteen presidential election also pledged to ensure that the polls are performed peacefully at the same time as signing a peace accord at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja the day before today.

The occasion, organised via the National Peace Committee under the

chairmanship of a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, changed into witnessed through foreign observers inclusive of the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland; former Liberian President and chief of the ECOWAS statement team, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Others are former president of Tanzania and leader of Commonwealth Observer Group Jakaya Kikwete, as well as former president of Botswana and head of Democratic National Institute and Republic National Institute, Festus Moghai.

Let’s devote ourselves to the accord – Buhari

Speaking after signing the accord, President Buhari said “We, the Presidential candidates are right here to signal and devote ourselves to do all this is possible to ensure the success of the elections but most importantly to simply accept the final final results.

“I appeal to my fellow contestants to decide to these ideals so that it will hold our usa and people safe. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), our electoral umpire, has already confident us that they’ve completed the entirety viable to ensure unfastened and honest elections.

“It changed into to ensure this that I made certain that INEC obtained all of the resources they had to carry out their task. Our security agencies had been completely briefed and they know that their visible neutrality is fundamental to the behavior, credibility and fulfillment of the elections.”

The president, while calling for prayers for the usa, entreated Nigerians to contribute to the building of a viable polity through extra energetic participation past the casting of votes.

“Let us use this possibility to bolster our ideals in a united u . S .. Our elections are important most effective to the quantity that they make our us of a non violent and prepare us for development. “Elections through themselves do not represent Democracy. It is the spirit of citizenship engagement that utilizes the power of residents closer to the attainment of correct governance,” he stated.

He appealed to young people no longer to allow themselves to be used to purpose violence, noting that “We will vote consistent with Parties, but in the long run, the most effective actual Party is Nigeria, our usa.”

We have to abide by will of the human beings – Atiku

Also talking, Atiku said “every candidate must keep in mind that this election is set the destiny of Nigeria, therefore, we need to abide by the desire of the people as freely expressed via elections, below the terms of our charter.”

Quoting former President Goodluck Jonathan’s assertion, “My ambition isn’t well worth the blood of any Nigerian,” Atiku stated the assertion remains a benchmark for him, considering the deep emotions that prevail as the election approaches.

“Hopefully, our democracy have to emerge more potent from this method with the 2019 elections proving higher managed than the 2015 technique, which become adjudged unfastened and truthful with the then opposition’s victory unobstructed.

“Consequently, I additionally attraction to the President, General Buhari, to apply his appropriate workplace to make certain that every eligible individual who casts their vote is confident inside the manner and within the belief that their vote will matter.”

He appealed to INEC and the Nigeria Police Force to be fair arbiters in the approaching elections even as letting neutrality be successful.

“Once again, notwithstanding concerns expressed by means of my celebration leaders concerning probably electoral malpractices and the intimidation of citizens and observers, I believe that our election officers and protection offerings will do their responsibility in accordance with their oath and duties. In conclusion, I enchantment all over again, to our residents, to exit and cast their votes for the candidates in their preference, to be non violent always, and assured in our democracy, its institutions and techniques,” he said.

Look beyond electoral gains, Abdulsalami tells applicants

Abdulsalami said “As leaders of political parties with tremendous followership, you’ve got the ability to help construct peace and maintain it, but alternatively, you also have the potential to create and gas battle within the polity. You have to not do something to make a terrible situation worse. You must lead by means of instance.”

He introduced that “First, the election itself will now not preserve within the absence of a peaceful ecosystem. Second, and similarly important, governance after the election might be impossible without a peaceful environment, 1/3 the disharmony amongst political parties hinders all developmental efforts.

“While winning elections may be a count of competition among political parties, prevailing the struggle towards development is a matter of cooperation between them. And except we receive that the electoral competition, no matter how excessive, need to no longer be on the price of cooperation among political parties, we are going nowhere.”

The former head of nation described electoral war/violence as “any act of danger that seeks to damage, intimidate, abuse or, in any other case, blackmail any player thru searching for to influence, postpone or exchange, the final results of that electoral technique.”

He urged INEC and the security companies to abide through their oath of workplace.

“Today what is coming from our mosques and churches is not anything but unfounded incitement. This must be managed and curtailed because for us to behavior these elections successfully and in peace, every one folks must be certain via the dictates of reality, decorum and properly conduct,” he said.

Gowon: Counsel your supporters against violence

Also talking, former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon advised the applicants to counsel their supporters against violence and intimidation.

“Speak immediately on your supporters, let us have non violent elections and let us appreciate the observers,” he stated.

Speaking on behalf of the united states of america’s conventional rulers, Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Amanayabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, entreated the applicants to vicinity the survival of the usa above their aims.

Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II was also on the event.

Africa depends on healthful Nigeria – Commonwealth

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mrs. Patricia Scotland, said the power of Africa trusted a healthful Nigeria.

According to her, the Commonwealth became elated over the choice of candidates taking part in this year’s wellknown elections to signal a peace accord to guarantee a non violent and fair contest.

“Nigeria turned into a valuable member of the Commonwealth family where things should no longer be allowed to go wrong due to the wider implications for the relaxation of Africa. When Nigeria is wholesome, vibrant and strong, the entire of Africa is bolstered,” Scotland stated.

She stated thousands and thousands of human beings the world over are praying for Nigeria and its humans hoping that the impending election will hold peacefully.

She noted that Saturday’s election can be the 6th for the reason that 1999 whilst the united states of america back to democracy after navy rule and expressed desire that the poll will entrench and construct at the gains carried out for the reason that 1999.

According to her, for those born after 1999, this year’s election might be the first time to exercise their right and determine who rules Nigeria and that every one concerned should no longer fail them by ensuring a reputable and transparent election.

“The signing ceremony conserving today (the day gone by) is absolutely in keeping with commonwealth values. The international is maintaining their breath because Nigeria is the largest economic system with the biggest population in Africa. It is a burden that Nigerian leaders gathered right here these days bring. We name on their birthday party, supporters and public to comply with their lead. Elections will come and pass, but this amazing Nigeria will remain,” she stated.

Also, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Ketil Karlsen, urged INEC to make sure that electorate had been able to cast their votes with out fear or intimidation. He stated that what is good for Nigeria is also properly for the arena.

On his component, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, said the eyes of the world are on Nigeria and as a consequence actors in the elections must play by using the rules.