In advance of the upcoming general elections, nine governorship aspirants from various political parties in Akwa Ibom state yesterday signed a peace agreement in front of the state Council of Elders.
They signed the peace agreement yesterday shortly after discussing their plans for the state and their reasons for running for governor in the main auditorium of the E-library, IBB Way, Uyo, which served as the event’s location.
The African Action Congress’ (AAC) Mr. Iboro Otu, the African Democratic Congress’ (ADC) Arc. Ezekiel Nya-etok, the Action Democratic Party’s (ADP’s) Ekere Essien, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s (APGA’s) Obong Ita Ekpo signed the peace accord (APGA).
Others were APM candidate John James Akpanudoedehe, Mr. Akan Ekpeyong of the Boot Party, Ime Koffi of the Accord Party, Nsikak Thomas of the Zenith Labour Party, and Ime Koffi of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (APM).
In the agreement they signed, the candidates promised to make sure that the state’s elections would be free of violence and that their supporters, including young people, would hold rallies, meetings, and campaigns in accordance with other current laws and the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2022.
As the heads of their respective parties, they also agreed to refrain from using derogatory or inflammatory language, as well as hate speech that can incite violence, throughout their meetings and campaigns.
They further promised, among other things, that they would be held accountable and would report any acts of violence or Accord violations caused by their parties, candidates, or members to the state’s security authorities.
Surprisingly, prominent contenders Senator Bassey Akpan of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Pastor Umo Eno of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were absentees from the interactive gathering.
However, the trio—Mr. Uko Okon of the Labour Party, Emem Udoh of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and The People’s Redemption Party (PRP)—did not provide a justification for their absence from the meeting.
The interactive meeting was organized to allow all of the candidates a chance to explain to the Akwa Ibom people why they want to be the next governor, according to Obong Victor Attah, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of Elders.
Obong Attah said that the elders also want a situation where all of the candidates will join together and work as a team when one of them wins the 2023 election. He expressed pleasure with the interaction’s conclusion.
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After the ceremony, the elder statesman answered questions from reporters and lamented the absence of prominent governorship candidate Umo Eno from the state.
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