By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Officer in Charge of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Giovanie Biha, has applauded the signing of the Second National Peace Accord for peaceful elections in Nigeria under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC).
The United Nations, in a statement, signed by the National Information Officer, UN Information Centre (UNIC), Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun, also, charged all parties to respect their commitment under the accord.
The statement revealed that, “Under the Peace Accord, the 18 presidential candidates and the Chairmen of their respective parties renewed their commitment to peaceful, transparent and credible elections”.
They further reaffirmed their commitment to fully abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to respect the rules and regulations as laid down in the Electoral Act 2022; and to adhere to best international standards, and best practices of our democratic processes.
Ms. Biha however, appealed to all candidates and their supporters to respect the terms of the Peace Accord with due respect for the rule of law.
She further reiterated the importance of peaceful elections to Nigeria, the region and the continent while highlighting the centrality of peaceful elections to peace, stability and development of Nigeria.
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General reassured of the United Nations support to the people of Nigeria and expressed the hope that the elections of Saturday 25 February would further deepen democratic consolidation in Nigeria and the African region.
Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, restated the readiness of the Commission to conducting the elections as scheduled.
He reassured Nigerians of a transparent exercise.
Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in his welcome address, explained that the committee had been monitoring compliance with the first national accord by the politicians, and “we recorded some of the infractions that were a thing of concern.”
The European Union (EU) ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, urged Nigeria to lead by example and send a strong message to the world about consolidating democracy.
