ANEEJ Hails Fresh Peace Accord By Presidential Candidates … Says It Consolidates Jan. 14 Abuja Accord

By Alltimepost.com

ABUJA – Fresh peace pact, signed on Thursday by President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Retired Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to keep their supporters in check before, during and after the elections has received the endorsement of Rights group, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).

ANEEJ hailed the renewed peace pact in a statement in Abuja today signed by its executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, as an expression of commitment by politicians to free, fair and credible elections.

“At a time like this when all nerves are on edge concerning the General Elections, it is heart-warming and very re-assuring that the politicians and prominent Nigerians have recognized the need to rein in their supporters in the interest of our people and country,” David Ugolor said.

It would be recalled that both political parties had signed the Abuja Accord on January 14, 2015 in the presence of eminent personalities like former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.

At that accord, the two major political players and rivals committed to ensuring that the General Elections were devoid of acrimony and violence.

But no sooner than the Abuja Accord was signed than sporadic incidents of violence across the country began to occur.

Rev. David Ugolor expressed the hope that the fresh accord consolidates the one earlier signed, saying: “Nigeria is in the eye of the world, and we cannot afford to leave an example of violence to other democracies in the West African sub region and to Africa.”

Ugolor called on the security agencies to maintain neutrality as obtained in other democratic climes.

“Any incidence of accusation of complicity against security operatives by politicians and even political office holders is capable of truncating the democratic process.

While we urge all supporters of the political groups to tow the path of peace as subscribed by the leaders, we urge security agency to exercise caution in the discharge of their duties.”