Candidate of the 18 registered Political parties have today 22 February 2023 signed the Peace Accord which comes at a critical moment in the electoral calendar as Campaign for Presidential and National Assembly elections ends at midnight tomorrow Thursday 23rd February 2023.
SpyeTV News report that this is the thrid Peace Accord to be signed by parties and candidates on the eve of a General Election in Nigeria since 2015 and the 9th overall if we include the Accords signed before the commencement of electioneering campaign in September last year and ahead of the five off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo in 2020, Anambra in 2021 and Ekiti and Osun States in 2022.
The signing of this peace Accord took place at the headquarters Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Abuja with the commencement of the movement of sensitive materials to the various Local Government Areas nationwide.
In his remarks, the INEC Chairman said Election will hold on Saturday this week. INEC is ready and by Friday, we will activate the Registration Area Centres (RACs) so that at first light on Saturday, Polling Units will open on time.
He noted that the Commission is committed to free, fair and credible elections in compliance with the electoral legal framework and the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord. All political parties and candidates are hereby reassured of the Commission’s neutrality. Above all, Nigerians should feel confident that their votes will count.
"Over the next two days beginning from tomorrow, Thursday, the Commission will be holding daily media briefing at 3pm. The briefing will hold at this venue. The purpose is to provide update on preparations for the elections and to respond to issues that may arise. The briefing is open to political parties, civil society organizations, observers, the media and security agencies", he said.
The INEC Chairman appreciates the work of the National Peace Committee and urged political parties and their candidates to abide by the letter and spirit of the Accord.