The three top Nigerian presidential candidates who are currently vying for a spot for the 2023 presidential seat have signed a “peace” deal which has been meant to ease most of the tensions during their campaigning for the 2023 election, though the ruling party flag-bearer Tinubu has been reported to be absent from the ceremony.
In the past, the presidential ballots in Africa’s most populous country have always been completely marred by some forms of violence, fraud, court challenges and a rise in ethnic tensions.
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It has also been reported that the four leading candidates have also emerged in a tight race which was in order to fully replace the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who is stepping down after two terms with Nigeria’s economy seriously struggling and adept insecurity as a major challenge for his successor.
The accord which had also been organised by the National Peace Committee, a private initiative of religious, traditional and opinion leaders had also urged candidates to focus on issues and steer away from incitement.
“Commitment to a peaceful and issue-based electioneering campaign should resonate beyond” presidential candidates, INEC election commission chairman Mahmood Yakubu said in a statement.
“It is not enough to simply sign the peace accord. What is more important is to abide by its letter and spirit.”
Main opposition Peoples Democratic Party or PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party candidate Peter Obi and the New Nigerian Peoples Party’s Rabiu Kwankwaso all signed the document in the Abuja ceremony and the ruling party All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Lagos governor, was not at the signing though his vice presidential running mate appeared in his place.
A total of 18 presidential hopefuls are running, including one woman.