Ondo Guber: 17 Political Parties Sign Peace Accord, Aiyedatiwa Pledges To Accept Election Outcome

All seventeen political parties participating in the November 16 off-circle gubernatorial election in Ondo State on Friday signed a peace accord to ensure peaceful conduct of the election in the state.

The programme was organised by the National Peace Committee headed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd).

The signing of the Ondo State Peace Accord took place at The Dome, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, and was attended by candidates and chairmen from all participating political parties.

Addressing the candidates, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), Chairman of the National Peace Committee, stated that the Peace Accord is intended to “commit the gubernatorial candidates and their party Chairmen to support a peaceful and credible electoral process and promote the ideals of peace and democracy.”

He charged the candidates, chairmen, and all stakeholders to accept the election results.

Abdulsalami stated, “I also urge party leaders and candidates to accept the results of the elections as long as they are free, fair, and credible, and to seek legitimate and peaceful means of addressing any subsequent concerns.”

“I want to call on all stakeholders to work assiduously in their capacities to ensure that peace reigns supreme during this election and that the Ondo State off-cycle election sets a precedent for other off-cycle elections to emulate.”

As a result, he charged all of the candidates and chairmen who signed the accord to fully commit themselves and their parties to the letter and spirit of the agreement, including a pledge to avoid violence and intimidation.

The chairman of the National Peace Committee also stated that the participating candidates and political parties “must demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, as that is a key trait of good leadership.”

Meanwhile, the committee praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its efforts thus far, urging the Commission to “continuously live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that eligible voters exercise their franchise peacefully and that the remaining electoral processes are credible, free, and fair.”

All security agencies were also commended for their efforts to maintain peace and security in the state to date.

In his address, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated: “I am also pleased to note that no major election-related indent in Ondo State has been reported to INEC thus far.

“I am confident that with the signing of the Peace Accord today, the proactive measures taken by the security agencies, the roles played by our respected traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, civil society organisations, the mass media, and all other stakeholders, the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election will be peaceful, by the grace of God.”

“For our part, I want to assure you that we have taken steps to address election-day challenges, particularly the perennial issue of logistics.”

However, the Governor of Ondo, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, assured the NPC and other stakeholders that he would accept the election results.