The National Peace Committee (NPC) has congratulated the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful conduct during the June 18 governorship election.
A statement by the Chairman, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), reads: “We thank the people for the turnout, despite recent increasing levels of insecurity. Your commitment to fulfilling your civic responsibilities in a peaceful and orderly manner sets an example for your compatriots in the upcoming Osun State governorship election and Nigeria as we move towards the general elections in 2023.
“While the elections were not devoid of hitches, we commend the efforts of all stakeholders who have tirelessly worked either as ombudsmen or observers or participants to ensure it was conducted according to the rules. We commend the political parties and their candidates for yielding to the call for a peaceful election by respecting the provisions of the Electoral Act and cooperating with the various institutions of state saddled with their implementation.
“We also decry the vote-buying recorded during the elections, and urge the security agencies investigate and prosecute the perpetrators in line with the provisions of the electoral law. Vote-buying undermines the values which underpin our democratic life. It reduces the privileged selection of those who steward our commonwealth through our electoral processes, as being transactional. We must hold to account all who would muddy the springs from which we as a people seek to drink from collectively by such actions of bribery, both the giver and receiver.