Presidential candidates and their political parties have been charged to abide by the agreement they signed on Wednesday.
Commending the presidential candidates for signing the peace accord, the National Coalition for Peace and Unity (NACOPU) made up of political stakeholders, emphasised the need for well-meaning and active politicians to put heads together to find solution for peace.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday, the Protem Secretary General of NACOPU and former lawmaker, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, called on all parties to work in a dedicated manner to uphold the spirits and the letter of the agreements that they freely entered into in the days ahead.
“We also call on all supporters and agents of political parties and the voting population to take a cue from the spirit of brotherhood, which prevailed at today’s event.”
The group reiterated the action of President Jonathan in 2015 in accepting the result even before the election was announced.
“As a body dedicated to the ideals of promoting unity, peace and harmony, with membership from all over the country, we reaffirm our commitment to work with all concerned, to collectively achieve, peace and credible elections in 2023,” the group said.
Appreciating the presidential candidates for heeding their advise by signing the peace accord that will ensure there’s peace during the conduct of Saturday election, the group said, “the candidates and their political parties should not just end their quest for peace at the signing of the peace accord, but should take a step further to ensure that their supporters are educated on the need for a peaceful polls and peaceful Nation.
“They should send a strong message to their supporters all over the country to ensure that they conduct themselves properly, during the election and avoid any form of violence during and after the election.”
NACOPU warned supporters of presidential candidates to be mindful of the deceptive side of opinion polls, noting that opinion polls is different from election.
The group said: “Opinion poll is not the actual poll, it can be deceptive, supporters should not be carried away by it. Opinion poll cannot equate result of the real poll and therefore should be taken with a pitch of salt, because if not properly handled could result in post-election violence by party supporters.”
The group appealed to those who may have one issue or the other to approach the court instead of taking the law into their hands.
Appreciating the security agencies for what they have been doing to keep the country together, the group urged them to up their games, especially this period of elections to ensure adequate protection of lives and property.
While pointing out that the peace accord will go a long way to douse tension in the land, the group wished all Nigerians a peaceful Presidential election on Saturday.
