AA presidential candidate urges INEC, security agencies to ensure credible polls

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The Action Alliance presidential candidate, Adekunle Omo-Aje, has urged political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to uphold the integrity of the 2027 general elections.

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Omo-Aje made the call after signing the National Peace Accord alongside other presidential candidates and political party leaders in Abuja on Tuesday.

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In a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, the presidential candidate described the accord as a call to political actors and institutions to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

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He urged all parties to strictly abide by the terms of the agreement and conduct campaigns devoid of thuggery, hate speech, and religious or ethnic incitement.

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“INEC must resist pressure and ensure that the votes of Nigerians count. The Commission should provide a level playing field for all parties, big or small,” Omo-Aje said.

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He also called on security agencies to remain professional and non-partisan before, during and after the elections.

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“Our security agencies must protect lives and property before, during, and after the elections. They must not be used to intimidate voters or favour any political party. Professionalism is key to credible elections,” he stressed.

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Omo-Aje said Nigeria’s democracy could only deepen when state institutions were allowed to operate independently and political actors placed the welfare of citizens above the pursuit of power.

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He urged the political class to focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric capable of dividing the country.

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The PUNCH reports that the accord, organised by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in partnership with The Kukah Centre, commits political actors to peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the elections.

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The signing ceremony was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, a day before the official commencement of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

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The initiative is also aimed at preventing political disagreements and competition from escalating into violence before, during and after elections, particularly in a country with a history of election-related clashes and tensions.

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President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, was among the signatories. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, also signed on behalf of the ruling party.

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Other signatories included the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, as well as representatives of the Labour Party, African Democratic Congress, Democratic Leadership Alliance, National Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, Youth Party, Young Progressives Party and Zenith Labour Party.

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The ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was absent from the ceremony.

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Campaigns for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections are expected to commence nationwide on Wednesday, with political parties set to take their messages to voters across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

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