As part of its confidence building mechanism towards next month’s general elections, the National Peace Committee on Friday met with all the presidential candidates and political parties’ chairmen cautioning them to respect the peace accord signed at the commencement of open campaign in September 2022, by eschewing foul language and violence from their campaign activities.

Chairman of the Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar in his address said the intention of the Committee is not to listen to accusations and counter accusations but to ensure that all citizens are able to elect the leaders of their choice in a peaceful atmosphere.

His words;” We are not here to trade blames but to raise issues and concerns so that we can explore the best means of resolving the concerns. I appeal to you all to be moderate in your language, show respect to the views and concerns of one another and listen to the concerns expressed. We are not here to find out who is wrong, but what is wrong and to see how to correct it.”

General Abubakar recalled that the Committee on 29th of September 2022, invited all presidential candidates for the signing of the Peace Accord at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on them to be mindful of the concerns of Nigerians, on such issues and the need to use temperate language, avoid raising the tone of violence and to conduct themselves in a manner that does not undermine the electoral process.

The meeting was also attended by the Secretary of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Hassan Kukah, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar 111, Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Representatives of security agencies and civil societ organisations.

General Abdulsalami appealed to all Nigerians to appreciate the seriousness and significance of these elections. “We have gone through many difficulties and survived them. We are pleased that there are measurable improvements, and that INEC is assuring us that it has resolved some of the areas that have often caused violence. The Security agencies have also continued to give us assurances. Our hope is that you can raise your areas of concerns and let us see what can be done to instill confidence in this process”, he said.

General Abdulsalami who noted that there are measurable improvements since last year said ;” INEC is assuring us that it has resolved some of the areas that have often caused violence. The Security agencies have also continued to give us assurances. Our hope is that you can raise your areas of concerns and let us see what can be done to instill confidence in this process.”

There was mild drama at the beginning of the meeting when the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Comrade Omoyele Sowore kicked against the sitting arrangement for the presidential candidates insisting that the sitting arrangement should have been done in alphabetic order but the Chairman of the Committee said that his observation was noted.

The former Head of State appreciated the work of all the agencies involved in our elections commended the Media and Civil society for the work they are doing.

Below is the full text of General Abubakar’s address:

” I welcome you to this brief interactive session with the Presidential Aspirants, Civil society, INEC and the Media. The purpose of this initiative by the Peace Committee is to build up the confidence of our people in the electoral process and to ensure that we do all that is possible to ensure that these very crucial elections are successful. Our intention is to hear from the Presidential aspirants themselves and see how we can rally all our people to ensure that all citizens are able to elect the leaders of their choice. It is impossible to have all contestants into one room and so, we hope that whatever we discuss here affects all contestants in these elections.

“You may all recall that on the 29th of September 2022, we invited all of you for the signing of the Peace Accord at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. You may also recall that we placed advertisements in all major newspapers and the social media calling on all Presidential candidates to be mindful of the concerns of Nigerians, on such issues are the need to use temperate language, avoid raising the tone of violence and to conduct themselves in a manner that does not undermine the electoral process.

“We have deliberately widened the scope of this consultation so that we can improve the quality of our listening to the concerns of our people. We are not here to listen to accusations and counter accusations. We are not here to trade blames but to raise issues and concerns so that we can explore the best means of resolving the concerns. I appeal to you all to be moderate in your language, show respect to the views and concerns of one another and listen to the concerns expressed. We are not here to find out who is wrong, but what is wrong and to see how to correct it.

” I want to appeal to all Nigerians to appreciate the seriousness and significance of these elections. We have gone through many difficulties and survived them. We are pleased that there are measurable improvements, and that INEC is assuring us that it has resolved some of the areas that have often caused violence. The Security agencies have also continued to give us assurances. Our hope is that you can raise your areas of concerns and let us see what can be done to instill confidence in this process.

” Finally, we appreciate the work of all the agencies involved in our elections. I want to commend the Media and Civil society for the work that they are doing. Again, let us appreciate the fact that this country is ours to build. After all these years, we should have had enough time to learn the lessons that we need. We continue to count on the resilience and commitment of our people.

“Thank you and welcome to the session.”