A former military Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) yesterday expressed reservations that the forthcoming general elections might be violent and inconclusive.
He stated this during the signing of the Peace Accords for the conduct of the 2023 elections in Kano.
Abubakar, who is the Chairman of the National Peace Accords Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, said, already, Nigerians are disturbed that elections might be marred by violence.
The signing of the peace accords by the Kano candidates was organised by the state wing of the committee.
Represented by the Head of the Secretariat, Peace Accords Committee, Rev Fr. Attah Barkindo, the former military head of state said there was palpable fear amongst citizens which should be doused by the relevant agencies.
Keyamo gives EFCC, ICPC, CCB 72 hours ultimatum to arrest Atiku over criminal ‘breaches’
•Nigerians deeply concerned
He said, “Nigerians are worried that elections will be inconclusive and violent, this makes it mandatory for INEC and other security agencies to sit up to ensure that the right things are done.”
Abubakar said the act of attacking campaign convoys is another serious security problem that is brewing and should be stopped.
The Chairman of the Peace Accords Committee urged candidates to accept the outcome of the elections as a way of making Kano great and peaceful.
The Special Representative of the United Nations for West Africa, Madam Giovanni Biha, urged candidates to openly and actively denounce violence, saying that doing so will in no small measure curtail every uncertainty.
Biha commended the candidates for agreeing to sign the Peace Accord, explaining that the agreement in itself is a move towards ensuring peace in Kano.
Also, the Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano State, Garba Muhammad, said the electoral body had already addressed issues with late arrivals of elections materials and other serious issues.
Stating that in 2015 no fewer than 58 persons had been killed, Muhammad said the essence of the peace accords was to commit actors to do what was right.
