BY: Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo.
Candidates of the different Political Parties in Taraba State have signed a peace Accord towards the conduct of a peaceful election in the State.
The signing of the Peace Accord under the auspices of the Kukah Center for Peace
With the theme: “Depeening Stakeholders Participation and Amplifiying Voices of the Citizens in Taraba State for a peaceful 2023 General election” was attended by representatives of most of the political parties in the State.
Speaking before the singing of the Peace Accord, the National Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), Abdulsalami Abubakar, represented by a Director, Emmanuel Kanta, said the Committee is working with the INEC and the IGP, Usman Baba Alkali in ensuring peace during and after the elections in the country.
Kanta who also represented the Convener of the NPC, Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah as well as the Head Secretariat of the Kukah Centre, Rev. Father Attah Barkindo appreciated the Taraba State Peace Committee, stakeholders and traditional rulers for their efforts in ensuring peace during and after the elections.
He said “We are reminded that we need peace, for the elections without peace it cannot take place and after election results are announced, Politicians should accept the results in good faith for peace to rain we need peace in Taraba State and the country at large,” he reiterated.
Abubakar said politicians use religions and ethnicity to divide the country and urged Nigerians to shun such politicians who are only bent to create problems.
Contributing, Chairman Taraba State Peace Committee Prof. Talla Ngarka said the essence of signing the Peace Accord was to enable all the candidates to commit themselves to peace during and after the elections. Ngarka maintained that the event was aimed at identifying issues capable of disrupting peaceful Election in Taraba State and and looking for ways of preventing them.
In his remarks, State Chairman Christains Association of Nigeria CAN Rev. Magagi Jirape called on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to conduct a free,fair and credible election in Taraba State. Jirape represented by Bishop Isaac Philips also called on the people of the State to avoid fighting during and after the elections in support of any candidate. The State CAN Chairman obseved that “Election will come and go but we will still remained together and if any polititian tell you to fight ask him to bring his children to join the fight”.
He further noted that “Children’s of most politician’s lived abroad but they want our children to fight for them let us not agree with such politician’s”.
In his address the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Taraba State Umar Muktar whose speech was presented by the Head of Voter Education and Publicity of the Commission in the state said as the 2023 General Elections is fast approaching there is the need for a greater synergy and collaboration with critical stakeholders in the electoral process across the nation.
He maintained that the “statutory responsibility of the Commission to conduct elections to elect credible leaders to steer the ship of leadership of the country cannot be done by the INEC alone which explains the relevant roles of stakeholders in the execution of the electoral process”.
Taraba State Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council IPAC, Hon. Koria Tafarki called on parents not to allow their children to be used as thugs and urged candidates to bear in mind that in every contest there must be a winner and loser and commended the organizers for a job well done Chief of Ibi Abubakar Salihu Danbawuro who represented the Aku Uka. The Chairman Taraba State Council of Traditional Rulers thanked the conveners for their foresight and pledged to do their best as custodian of the people to ensure that peace reigns during and after the elections. Abubakar Salihu Danbawuro however urged all candidates to religiously honour the Peace Accord they have signed for a peaceful general elections wishing Nigerians a successful Election.
Although Governorship Candidates of the major political parties were absent their deputies signed the peace Accord on their behalfs witnessed by some party Chairmen, representatives of the State Police Commissioner, Traditional Rulers, NCWS and other key stakeholders.
