Political Parties To Sign Peace Treaty Ahead Of 2019 Polls [UPDATE]

The National Peace Committee Chairman, former head of state, Gen, Abdulsalam Abubakar (Rtd), said this in Abuja on Thursday at the end of a meeting held with political parties and stakeholders at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.

Presenting the resolution of the meeting, Hassan Kuka, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, revealed that the parties have agreed to adopt the same template that guided the success of the 2015 general election, ensuring that all stakeholders commit themselves to go by the same principle in the conduct of forthcoming polls.

Kuka mentioned that the committee and political parties have discussed extensively on the need for politicians to create a favorable atmosphere for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

He added, “We discussed the theme of trust as a key ingredient in the conduct of our affairs.

“In the end, we have resolved to adopt the same principles that guided the very success in the 2015 elections, and therefore commit ourselves to run issues-based campaigns at national, state and local government levels.

Kuka further stated, “In this, we pledge to abstain from campaigns that will involve religious provocation, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and by all agents acting on our behalf”.

The committee said political parties and politicians must refrain from making or sponsoring public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that is capable of inciting any form of violence, before, during, and after the elections.

Meanwhile, the parties are also expected to commit themselves to monitor the adherence to the peace accord and to also support institutions of government and security agencies to act and be seen with impartiality.