Signing peace deal with Jonathan helped peaceful elections in 2015 – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said the signing of the peace agreement with former President Goodluck Jonathan and other presidential candidates in the run-up to the 2015 elections was a major contributor to the peaceful outcome of the elections .

The President said this when he received the National Peace Committee (NPC), led by a former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Thursday at State House, Abuja.

He therefore urged all signatories of the 2023 electoral peace agreement, and their supporters, to respect its content and spirit.

He noted with joy the signing of the first national peace agreement by the candidates for the 2023 presidential election, earlier at a separate event on Thursday.

He said this was aimed at committing political parties, candidates and their supporters to run their campaigns peacefully, free from ethnic, religious and hate speech that could spoil the upcoming elections.

"The timing of the first national peace accord is significant given that political party campaigns have already begun in the country.

“The initiatives undertaken by the NPC are commendable as these efforts would ensure issue-based campaigns.

"I look forward to the second phase of the signing of the National Peace Accord which will take place in January 2023.

"You may recall that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and I signed the first national peace accord before the 2015 election.

"I am convinced that he contributed significantly to the peaceful outcome of the 2015 elections.

"I hope the National Peace Committee will continue this important work beyond 2023," the president said.

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Mr. Buhari reiterated that credible, free and fair elections can only be held in a peaceful environment.

He added that the signing of the Electoral Law of 2021, as amended with historic provisions, underscores his determination to establish a transparent and inclusive electoral process.

He therefore urged all stakeholders to conduct themselves in a manner that would ensure the smooth conduct of the 2023 elections as well as a smooth transition from one democratically elected government to another.

Mr. Abubakar, who briefed the chairman on the committee's activities in preparation for the 2023 elections, said he met with various stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and heads of security agencies.< /p>

He claimed that the meetings further reassured the preparedness and readiness of relevant stakeholders to conduct the polls credibly.

The former head of state told the president that the membership of the committee had been expanded to accommodate "young minds".

He said he was confident that the committee would do everything possible to ensure that all political actors lived up to expectations.

The NPC Chairman also commended the President for repeatedly reaffirming his commitment to fairness in the 2023 elections, especially during international outings.

He noted with pleasure that the off-season elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States confirmed the President's irreversible commitment to credible and violence-free elections in the country.

Members of the National Peace Committee are Abubakar, Chairman; Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto; Cardinal Jean Onaiyekan; Aliko Dangote and Ameze Guobadia.

The others are Sam Amuka; Roseline Ukeje; Ibrahim Gambari; Mathew Kukah; Mathew Luther Agwai and Femi Otedola.

Ahmed Yayale; Idayat Hassan, John Momoh; Sani Suleiman Atsu and Attah Barkindo, Head of the NPC Secretariat are also members of the committee.

(NAN)

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