2019: Atiku, Ezekwesili finally sign peace accord

AHEAD of the 2019 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) presidential candidates, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Obiageli Ezekwesili on Wednesday signed the peace accord.

The candidates in separate visits signed the Peace Accord at the office of the National Peace Committee (NPC) in Abuja.

Atiku, while signing the peace accord reiterated that he is committed to free, fair and credible election.

The former Vice -President, Atiku was accompanied to the signing event by his running mate, Peter Obi; the PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus; former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; among others.

Ezekwesili while signing the agreement also called on President Buhari to sign the electoral act amendment bill. She said this is the only way to assure Nigerians that he is ready for free and fair elections in 2019.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who is ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential nominee and other presidential candidates had earlier on Tuesday signed the peace accord. Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of tStatP and ACPN and some others were absent at the signing ceremony.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, explaining why the party was not represented said it was due to communication lapse between the NPC and its national secretariat.

But, a member of the NPC, Matthew Kukah had earlier insisted that Atiku was invited for the signing ceremony.

The National Peace Accord is convened by eminent Nigerians and led by a former Head of State, Retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

He also lauded President Buhari for signing the peace deal, just as he urged him to sign the electoral act amendment bill into law to demonstrate his willingness to ensure free and fair elections.