The National Peace Committee (NPC) has urged the people of Ekiti State to ‘step out without fear but with hope to exercise their franchise and vote to deepen the democratic process’ during Saturday’s governorship election.
A statement yesterday by the Chairman, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), also said political parties and stakeholders partaking in the election will sign a peace accord tomorrow.
The signing will hold at the Amazing Grace Events Hall in Ikokun, Ado-Ekiti.
The committee also said the people must choose peace over and above electoral violence in the election, and urged stakeholders to follow due process, conduct themselves with civility and patriotism.
It said with the general elections months away, and despite the spike in violence across the country, the Ekiti governorship elections offer a glimmer of hope and window of opportunity to assess how the 2023 elections will span out.
The statement reads: “We urge people taking part in the election to follow due process, conduct themselves with civility and patriotism. They should not take the laws into their hands – no matter the grievances they may hold against individuals, state, or electoral bodies or security agencies.
“A peace accord will also be signed by the political parties and stakeholders on June 15, at the Amazing Grace Events Hall, Ikokun, Ado-Ekiti.
“We call on youths not to make themselves pawns in the chessboard of the political class. The youths must realise that the security, stability, and future of Nigeria remains their common patrimony. They must make themselves available to become ambassadors of peace, retaining hope in Nigeria and support the democratic process in Ekiti state, and Nigeria in general.