• Politicians not ready to play by the rules, says INEC
The General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee (NPC) has called on candidates to rein in their spokesmen and supporters to make electioneering campaigns violent-free.
Expressing concern over the wave of violence at political rallies, the NPC decried the use of intemperate language, intimidation and outright violence by party supporters.
The NPC said the development, if not curtailed, could undermine the peace accord signed by all presidential candidates at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, on September 28.
The NPC’s concerns were contained in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja.
It was signed by Gen. Abubakar (Chairman) and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (Convener).
It came on a day the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, accused politicians and political actors of heating the polity with their refusal to play by the rules.
In the statement, members of the NPC said they have watched with utter sadness and deep concern, the deterioration in the communication of fundamental issues among the politicians since INEC lifted the ban on political campaigns in September.
According to the NPC, the presidential candidates and their running mates met and participated in the signing of the peace accord a day after the ban was lifted.
He added that since its successful outing preceding the 2015 presidential elections, the signing of the peace accord has become embedded in the nation’s electioneering campaigns.
But, decrying the turn of events, the statement reads: “Nigerians are genuinely concerned, troubled and disappointed by the conduct and attitude of some of the political actors in the last few weeks. (Daily Post).
