Violence-free elections: Jonathan, Buhari, 12 others sign undertaking

ABUJA – President Goodluck Jonathan of the
ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; General
Mohammadu Buhari , the presidential flag bearer of
the All Progressives Congress, APC and twelve
other presidential candidates at the February 14
election have signed an undertaking to make the
poll violence free.
The other candidates include, Tunde Anifowose
Kelani of Action Alliance (AA) Dr. Rafiu Salau of
Alliance for Democracy (AD), Ganiyu Galadima of
Alliance Congress (AC), Alh. Mani Ibrahim Ahemad
of ADC, Chief Sam Eke of Citizens Popular Party
(CPP) Ambros Albert Oworu of Hope Party, Prof.
Oluremi Sonaiya of KOWA party and Chief Chekwas
Okorie of Unity Progressive Party (UPP).
The letters and the spirit of the undertaking
otherwise called “Abuja Accord” by the organizers
of the event tilted “2015 General Elections:
Sensitization workshop on Non-Violence”
essentially barred the contestants in the election
from making incisive speeches that could cause
the eruption of violence of whatever guise before,
during and after the elections.
The accord reads thus: “We the undersigned
Presidential candidates of the under-listed political
parties contesting in the General Elections of 2015;
“Desirous of taking proactive measures to prevent
electoral violence before, during and after the
elections;
“Anxious about the maintenance of a peaceful
environment for the 2015 general elections;
“Reaffirming our commitment to the constitution of
the federal Republic of Nigeria; Desirous of
sustaining and promoting the unity and corporate
existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity;
“Determined to avoid any conduct or behavior that
the will endanger the political stability and national
security of Nigeria;
“Determined to place national interest above
personal and partisan concerns; and Reaffirm our
commitment to fully abide by all rules and
regulations as laid down in the legal framework for
elections in Nigeria hereby commit ourselves and
our party to the following:
*To run issue based campaigns at national, state
and local governments levels; in this, we pledge to
refrain from campaigns that will involve religious
incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both ourselves
and agents acting in our names;
“To refrain from making, or causing to make our
names or that of of our party, any public
statements, pronouncements, declarations or
speeches that have the capacity to incite any form
or violence, before, during and after the elections;
*To commit ourselves and political parties to the
monitoring of the adherence to this accord by a
national peace committee made up of respected
statesmen and women, traditional and religious
leaders;
*All institutions of government including INEC and
security agencies must act and be seen to act with
impartiality; and
*To forcefully and publicly speak out against
provocative utterances and oppose all acts of
electoral violence whether perpetrated by our
supporters and/or opponents.”