Ekiti 2022: PDP, 5 others absent as candidates sign peace accord

Six out of the sixteen governorship candidates participating in Saturday’s election in Ekiti State were absent at the venue of Peace Accord signed on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Those absent at the signing of the Peace Accord include Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Reuben Famuyibo (Accord Party), Daramola Roland (Labour Party), Moses Olajide (African Action Congress), Peter Adegbenro (Allied Peoples Movement), and Debo Ajayi (Young Progressive Party).

Those present were Biodun Oyebanji (All Progressive Congress), Segun Oni (Social Democratic Party), Wole Oluyede (African Democratic Party), Modupe Olatawura (Action People’s Party), and Oladosu Fatomilola (New Nigerian People’s Party).

Others include Kemi Halle-Elebute of the African Democratic Party (ADP), Kolade Akinyemi (Zenith Labour Party), Olufemi Obidoyin (All Progressives Grand Alliance), and Olaniyi Agboola (Peoples Redemption Party).

The Chairman, National Peace Committee and former Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar (rtd), and the Chairman of the Independent NationaI Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, facilitated the Peace Accord signed by the candidates and party chairmen.

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Abubakar, who was represented by the convener of the Peace Accord and Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, said the peace idea was initiated in 2015 when the country’s peace was being threatened as a result of political activities.

He stated that similar Peace Accords were signed by governorship candidates during the previous elections held in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states which brought about peace in the three states.

He, however, appealed to the candidates to see the election as a game with sportsmanship and not a do or die affair.

Abubakar further enjoined the stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to the spirit of the accord, saying violence-free election is a fundamental means to sustainable peace and development.

He equally urged the voters to go out peacefully to vote for their preferred candidates on Saturday.

The Star