Elections: Jonathan, Buhari, Sonaiya, Others Sign Non-Violence Undertaking

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Goodluck
Jonathan, Mohammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and
twelve other presidential candidates for the February 14 election have
signed an undertaking to make the poll violence free.

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 before, during and after the elections.

The accord read: "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."

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).
--infonaija