Ondo Poll: Sultan, Former Head Of State Abdusalami Abubakar, Others Sue For Peace |The Source

By Ayodele Oni

Members of Nigeria Peace Committee, has rallied actors in Saturday Governorship election in Ondo state with a plea to them to sheathe their swords.

Coming after series of violent attacks  in virtually all parts of the state, they were told by the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad, to see the election as a mere game and not a do or die affair.

Speaking during the signing of peace accord by governorship candidates of political parties on Tuesday in Akure, organised by the National peace committee (NPC), under the leadership of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Sultan said that election was like a game of play by many players on the pitch.

He appealed to them to shun any form of violence and thuggery and call their supporters to order, so that the election could be free, fair and credible like that of Edo State.

“I like to make it clear to all of us as citizens of this country and to the players who are going to be on the pitch on Saturday to contest for one single seat of governor of Ondo State for the next four years, that peace is the ultimate.

“I like to call on you to see the signing of accord this morning not just a mere ceremony or formality, but a commitment by all of you.

“Let all of us obey the rules of the game, I call it game because election is a game where there will be only one winner and others who do not win, I won’t call them losers.

“There will be one winner and that winner has already been ordained by Almighty God. We don’t know who is that person.

“So, as contestants tell the citizens of Ondo State what you can’t do and what you will do for them, their votes must count as INEC has assured us that every vote must count.

“Talk to your supporters to remain peaceful, do not allow thuggery to take place anywhere not only near the polling booth even in entire state throughout the duration of election on Saturday.”, the Sultan said.

According to him,   “power belongs to Almighty God and he gives it to whom he wants, at the time he wants, and he takes it away from the person or persons without even alerting them, so let us not play God.

“Do not sign this accord, if you know that you are not going to maintain peace during the election on Saturday,” he added.

Meanwhile,  the three leading Governorship candidates promised to allow peace to reign during and after the election as well as shun any act that could undermine the pact they have signed.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who pledged to  abide by the content of the peace accord commended the the National Peace Committee for its commitment to ensure  peaceful election in the State.

Also,  Mr Eyitayo Jegede of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) called on security agencies, especially, the police to ensure a level playing ground  for all the contestants, arrest and prosecute anyone that foments trouble during the election.

Mr Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour Party(ZLP), who is also the Deputy Governor of the State, assured that members of his party would continue to conduct themselves in a peaceful, democratic and civilised way.

Dignitaries at the ceremony include Bishop Matthew Kuka,  John Cardinal Onaiyekan, INEC Chairman, Momoud Yakubu, and representative of the Inspector General of Police(IGP).