Jonathan, Buhari Sign Another Peace Accord

Less than 48 hours to the presidential and National Assembly elections, President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential standard-bearer and Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), the presidential standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday renewed their peace accord aimed at ensuring a violence-free election.

The peace accord

, the second in recent times, was at the instance of the National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections led by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).

The duo equally insisted on a united and indivisible Nigeria.

On January 14,  Jonathan and Buhari, as well as other presidential candidates had signed what is now famously known as the Abuja Accord.

Thursday's renewal of the peace accord was to reassure the world and Nigerians that the country is more important than their own aspirations.

In his remarks, Abubakar noted that the peace committee was set up after the Abuja Accord was signed by  Jonathan and Buhari.

"This committee has been working round the clock to assist the parties and Nigerians  to ensure that there is peace and harmony before, during and after the elections this time around.

"Mr. President was kind enough to see us yesterday  (Wednesday). One, he is the president of the country and secondly, he is a contestant. And this morning, Gen. Buhari despite his late arrival last night or early arrival this morning, was kind enough to meet with this committee.

"In essence, all the meetings were held to brief them on the current situation of the country and what we expect of them as stakeholders and as presidential candidates.

"I want to thank both the president and Gen. Buhari for finding time to meet with the committee. And I want to thank both party chairmen for the support received in trying to send this message of peace.

"I am happy both parties, the contestants are committed to free and fair elections, free of violence. And this morning a document to reiterate their commitment for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections" Abubakar said.

The accord, which was read by Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, took place at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

The joint statement issued by Jonathan and Buhari, reads: "You may recall that on 14th January, 2015, both of us, along with nine other party leaders signed what has now come to be known as the Abuja Accord.

"The substance of that Accord was our commitment to free, fair and credible elections in our dear country.

"In the accord, we agreed to, among other things, run an issue-based campaign and pledged that our electoral campaigns will not involve any religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and all agents acting in our names.

"Now that the campaigns have come to an end, we meet today to renew our pledge for peaceful elections.

"We therefore call on all fellow citizens of our dear country, and our party supporters, to refrain from violence or any act that may in any way jeopardise our collective vision of a free, fair and credible election.

"In addition, we call on INEC and all security agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles.

"We also pledge to respect the outcome of free, fair and credible elections.

"Today (Thursday), we again renew our commitment to a united, democratic and prosperous Nigeria. We want to urge all Nigerians to stand together at this critical phase of our nation's history."

Meanwhile,  the United Kingdom Prime Minister, David Cameron, has written a personal letter to President Jonathan, urging him to ensure the elections go ahead this weekend, warning that failure to do so ‘would risk national security and stability, and adversely affect Nigeria’s international reputation’.

In the letter, made available to THISDAY by the British High Commission's Press Secretary, Edward Dunn, Cameron underlined the importance of the elections for the African continent; pointing out the pivotal role for President Jonathan, saying: “As Africa’s biggest democracy, successful elections in Nigeria are important not only for Nigeria’s future, but as a signal to the rest of Africa.  Delivering a credible process will be a lasting credit to you as president and to Nigeria as a nation".

The prime minister emphasised the vital role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega.

“I am encouraged by INEC’s advances in recent weeks.  The collection of over 80 per cent of Permanent Voter Cards and the broadly successful field tests of the card readers have improved their technical preparation for the election. Your support for Professor Jega’s continuing tenure and guidance of the process remains an important part of delivering successful elections,” he added.

He also called for a transparent process without violence, saying: "with hundreds of lives lost after the last election, the eyes of the international community will be focused on Nigeria."

Cameron also stated that he was encouraged that Nigeria, alongside its neighbours, was tackling the threat being posed by Boko Haram, congratulating the president on the recent advances made by Nigerian troops.
He used the opportunity to confirm the UK’s commitment to support Nigeria in the fight against insurgency with £5 million; saying the UK is also working towards the swift adoption of a Security Council resolution in New York to welcome the force.

Accordingly, Buhari on Thursrday furthered the spirit of the peace accord by  appealing to all his supporters nationwide not to engage in violence no matter the level of provocation.

Buhari, who addressed journalists at the party's campaign office in Abuja, urged all his supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the elections to avoid falling prey into the trap set by the PDP.

"I urge my supporters and my party to show exemplary conduct of orderly behaviour. They must avoid anything that might make them play into the hands of the PDP mischief makers, who are determined to discredit our party," he said.

In what seemed as a last minute effort to woo voters, the party’s presidential candidate promised not let Nigerians down if elected president. He again expressed his resolve to make insecurity, unemployment, economy and fight against corruption his government's priority if he wins the election.

"I am not contesting this election because I want power and money. I am doing so because Nigerians believe I have what it takes to achieve the much-needed change. When the people express the ability and integrity to lead them, you have a responsibility to answer the clarion call to national service," he said.

He said the popularity of the PDP is at the lowest ebb, adding that this shrinkage of goodwill is irretrievable.

Buhari said caution should be exercised in the deployment of soldiers for the elections because the court had declared such action illegal.

On Boko Haram, Buhari said what APC would do is to first call a meeting of Heads of States of neighbouring countries to find a way of permanently routing the insurgency.

"It has taken the Nigerian security forces six years to now reduce the activities of Boko Haram to few local government areas. But what APC government will do is to call a meeting of presidents of Cameroun, Chad and Niger to come together to try to undermine and rout Boko Haram. This strategy will be to deny the insurgents the facilities for cross-boarder movement of weapons and any kind of activity.

"The 16 years of PDP administration is a story of despair, despondency, disillusionment and pervasive fear, caused by unprecedented insecurity. The basic functions of the government such as the security, welfare and happiness of the citizens appear only in paper.

" It is morally wrong for any government that has woefully failed in these basic responsibilities to demand or expect another mandate from the disillusioned citizens of Nigeria.

"The PDP administration has exhausted all its goodwill and lost all the argument on performance and competence and is, as a result, seeking to retain power at all costs, regardless of performance which is a shameless reflection of desperation and greed for power. A government that abandoned its citizens to their fates has no reason to remain in office a day longer than necessary," he said.
In a related development, with less than 24 hours to the presidential election, presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Rafiu Salau, has stepped down for Buhari.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Salau said he is stepping down for Buhari to save the country's democracy from one party system which he said encourages dictatorship.

He called on his supporters and all the party members to vote for Buhari saturday.