The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa\u2019ad, has tasked all the
\ncontestants in this Saturday\u2019s governorship election in Ondo State not
\nto see the exercise as a do-or-die affair.<\/p>\n
Abubakar made the appeal during the signing of the Peace Accord by Ondo
\nState governorship candidates on Tuesday in Akure.<\/p>\n
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the signing of the Peace
\nAccord was organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the
\nleadership of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar.<\/p>\n
Sa\u2019ad, who said the election was like a game played by many players on
\nthe pitch, called on all contestants to shun any form of violence and
\nthuggery.<\/p>\n
He said this was necessary so that the election could be free, fair, and
\ncredible in the state like that of Edo State governorship poll.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to make it clear to all of us as citizens of this country and
\nfor the players who are going to be on the pitch on Saturday to contest
\nfor one single seat of the governor of Ondo State for the next four
\nyears.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to call on you to see the signing of an accord this morning not
\njust a mere ceremony or formality but a commitment by all of you.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, a covenant in which you all be responsible for the outcome at
\nthe end of the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet all of us obey the rules of the game; I call it game because the
\nelection is a game where there must be only one winner and others who
\nhave not won, I won\u2019t call them loser.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will only be one winner and that winner has already been ordained
\nby Almighty God before the election is even cast. We don\u2019t know who that
\nperson is.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a contestant, tell the citizens of Ondo State, what you can\u2019t do and
\nwhat you will do for them and their votes must count as INEC has assured
\nus that every vote must count.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalk to your supporters to remain peaceful, do not allow thuggery to
\ntake place anywhere, not only near the polling booth even in the entire
\nstate throughout the duration of election on Saturday,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, power belongs to Almighty God and he gives it to whom
\nhe wants at the time he wants and he takes away from the person or
\npersons without even alerting them, so let\u2019s not play God.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not sign this accord, if you know you are not going to keep peace in
\nthe Ondo State election of Saturday,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the three major governorship candidates promised to allow
\npeace to reign during and after the election and shun any act that could
\ndetermine the pact they have signed.<\/p>\n
Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who pledged to abide by the content of the
\nPeace Accord, appreciated the National Peace Committee for their
\ncommitment to seeing that the election was peaceful in Ondo State.<\/p>\n
Also, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede of the People\u2019s Democratic Party (PDP), called
\non all security agencies, especially the police, to ensure a free
\nplayground for all the contestants and arrest and prosecute anyone who
\nfoments trouble during the election.<\/p>\n
Mr. Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), who is also the Deputy
\nGovernor of the state, said that members of his party would continue to
\nconduct themselves in the most peaceful manner, more democratic and
\ncivilised way.<\/p>\n
NAN reports that other dignitaries present at the peace accord signing
\nwere Bishop Hassan Matthew Kuka, Arch Bishop John Onaiyekan, INEC
\nchairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; and representative of the Inspector
\nGeneral of Police (IGP), among others. (NAN)<\/p>\n
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa\u2019ad, has tasked all the contestants in this Saturday\u2019s governorship election in Ondo State not to see the exercise as a do-or-die affair. Abubakar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":76095,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n