From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
National Peace Committee (NPC) has called for appropriate procedures to halt vote-buying during the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
Chairman of the committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in a statement in Abuja, called on the people of Osun State to come out en masse, exercising their civic rights, vote without fear and violence with the understanding that the structures for growth are dependent on peace.
The former Head of State said the Osun State governorship election offered yet another opportunity to consolidate the gains recorded during the Ekiti State governorship election of June 2022 and to further assess the nation’s preparedness for the 2023 general elections.
Abubakar, on behalf of the National Peace Committee, applauded the commitment and tenacity of the people of Osun State who support democracy in the country by engaging in the electoral process, obtaining their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) to be eligible to vote on election day, while participating in rallies and campaigns for the various candidates.
“In particular, we call on our youths to make and present themselves as ambassadors of peace, and not as pawns used for thuggery and violence. As youths, you retain the hope and future of Osun State and Nigeria at large when you support the democratic process. Your willingness to vote even during times of heightened insecurity, reflects the acceptance of democracy as the most appropriate form of governance for Nigeria,” he said.
Abubakar further called on all stakeholders in the traditional institutions, media, and civil society to be alert to their responsibilities as envoys of democratic values which are the means to attaining good governance, resulting in the nation’s collective growth and development.
“The NPC hereby wishes to announce that a peace accord will be signed by the various political parties and stakeholders on 13 July 2022, in Osogbo, Osun State,” Abubakar said.