Politics

Let your campaign be based on issues – Ladoja charges politicians

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Governorship candidates in Oyo State have agreed to allow a level playing ground before, during and after the 2023 general elections.

The candidates made the pledge while signing a peace agreement in Ibadan, organised by the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Adebowale Williams. 

While briefing the candidates on the importance of peace, the chief convener of the Peace Accord committee and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja said they should all eschew violence and embrace peace before, during and after the coming elections. 

Senator Ladoja cautioned them against a campaign of bitterness which he said could create rancour in the state.

  • Governor Seyi Makinde who is running for a second term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party signing the Peace Accord
  • Accord Party Gubernatorial Candidate in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu signing the Peace Accord

He admonished them to focus on issue-based campaigns for the betterment of all the citizens. 

Senator Ladoja noted that the candidates should remember that life would continue after the elections, hence the need for free and fair campaigns and elections. 

On his part, the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Dr Raman Tella, said the peace agreement signed by the candidates indicated that the elections would be conducted in a peaceful manner.

He said INEC was ready to deliver and put all necessary machinery in place to ensure that the elections were free, fair and balanced.

The REC, therefore, called on the residents of Oyo State who were yet to collect their PVCs to do so as INEC had 743,690 uncollected cards with them.

He added that INEC in Oyo State had extended their polling units to 6,390 to reduce the stress people go through while trying to exercise their rights on election days.

One of the governorship candidates in Oyo State and the governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde said the signing of the peace agreement among the candidates would go a long way at ensuring and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after elections. 

Reacting, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Adebowale Williams said the signing of the peace accord became imperative as the nation navigated towards the general elections.

Mr Williams noted that there was the need for repeated emphasis on peaceful electioneering before, during and after the exercise to enable members of the public to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation from anyone.

The parties, their candidates and their supporters were therefore enjoined to be guided by the guidelines for political rallies recently released by INEC.

“So far, the command and indeed the security space is concerned about the disturbing extremities and desperation displayed by some political gladiators. Recently, Oyo State witnessed needless destruction of billboards and defacing of posters of opposing aspirants to stir up provocations and bloody reprisals but for the prompt intervention of security operatives.”

“Hence, the need to reach out to leaders wielding diverse degrees of influence within and outside Oyo State was inevitable for the purposes of guidance and preservation of the state’s relative peace from agents of anarchy and mischief.”

The Commissioner of Police stated further that this process would encourage issue-based campaigns at all levels, devoid of religious, ethnic and tribal incitement by political actors or their supporters acting in the capacity of their principal.

“Dissuade aspirants and any other persons, acting in the capacity of their principals from inciting violence through provocative utterances and hate speeches.”

“Support all institutions of government including INEC, police and other security agencies towards ensuring that the electorates exercise their franchise without fear of harassment or molestation.”

While assuring the electorates of their safety before, during and after the elections, the Police Commissioner also promised to leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with any individual or group that planned to disrupt the process regardless of their interests or affiliations.

Rasheedah Makinde

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Politics

PDP, 4 Guber Candidates Absent at Ekiti Peace Accord

By Web News 630

Five out of the sixteen Governorship Candidates participating in this Saturday’s Election in Ekiti State were absent at the venue of peace Accord signed on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti.

They are the Governorship Candidates of Accord Party, AP, Labour Party, LP, Young Progressive Party, YPP, Peoples’ Democratic party, PDP and Allied Peoples’ Movement, APM were absent at the peace Accord.

The Chairman, NationaI Peace Committee and former Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar rtd and the Chairman, Independent NationaI Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu facilitated the peace Accord signed by the Candidates and party Chairmen.

General Abubakar rtd who was represented by the convener of the Peace Accord and Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah said the peace idea was initiated in 2015 when the Nation’s peace was being threatened as a result of Political activities.

He explained that similar peace Accords were signed by Governorship Candidates during the previous elections held in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states which brought about peace in the three states.

General Abubakar rtd called on the Governorship Candidates in Ekiti State to abide by the peace Accord in the interest of peace and development.

In his remarks, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu reassured the people of Ekiti that the Electoral body would do everything possible to deliver free, fair and credible election in the state on Saturday.

He however appealed to the Governorship Candidates to educate their supporters to be law abiding.

Also, the chairman, Council of Obas in Ekiti and the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon said royal fathers across the state have sensitized their subjects on the need to conduct themselves peacefully during the poll.

In his submission, the Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC in Ekiti State, Mr Ifedayo Iyaniwura, charged security agencies and the electoral umpire not to support any of the political parties so that the purpose of the peace Accord would be achieved.

On his part, the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN in Ekiti State, Reverend Peter Olowolafe who spoke through Pastor Adekunle Samuel appealed to all stakeholders not to do anything that can undermine the peace of the state.

Some of the Governorship Candidates promised to abide by the peace Accord but urged INEC not to compromise.

In the meantime, INEC in Ekiti State has taken delivery of the sensitive materials meant to this Saturday’s Governorship election in the state.

The materials will be distributed to the electoral officers tomorrow, Thursday at INEC state Headquarters in Ado Ekiti.

Amos Ogunrinde

Politics

Ondo Election: Candidates Sign Peace Accord

By Web News 637

Candidates vying for governorship election slated for this Saturday in Ondo State have signed peace accord

Candidates who signed the pact at the Dome in Akure included Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN of APC,  Mr Eyitayo Jegede SAN, PDP,  ZLP candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi, Martin Olateru-Olagbegi of the ADP and Rotimi Adeleye of the Accord Party.

The candidates however enjoined INEC and security agencies to be fair and objective throughout the voting process.

Addressing the candidates, the Chairman, National Peace committee and former head of state, Retired General Abdusalami Abubakar advised political stakeholders across the state to give peace a chance noting that nothing could be achieved in the atmosphere of rancour.

Also, the State Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Frederick Akinrutan and members of the National Peace committee, Bishop Mathew Kukah as well as the sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar urged the governorship candidates to play by the rules saying the governorship position was meant for a person.

The Sultan also cautioned their followers especially the youths against being used for thuggery.

INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who decried the recent political clashes in parts of the in State enjoined the supporters to be tolerant adding that the commission would remain fair to all parties to achieve credible governorship election.

Olorunferanmi Odofin