Former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (Rtd.), has called on politicians, the media, traditional rulers, security agencies, civil society organisations and government to be committed to ensuring a peaceful conduct of election in Anambra State during the State Assembly election holding in the state tomorrow, Saturday, March 9, 2019.

Abdusalami, in a joint address with the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Mathew Kukah, also a member of the National Peace Committee (NPC) stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the National Peace Committee in Awka on Thursday.

In a statement read by a representative and Deputy Director, Administration of the Kukah Centre, Mr. Duke Anoemuah, Abdusalami said: “We are here in Anambra State to extend to you, the good people of the state, an appeal made by the NPC for a peaceful conduct of election into the state House of Assembly scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 2019.

“This dialogue Forum is one in a series of interventions at state levels, jointly organised by the NPC and supported by the Department for International Development (DID).

“The statement explained that the goal of the Forum is to sensitise and mobilise stakeholders towards a peaceful election.

“The Forum is also expected to build initiatives and take measures to strengthen mutual confidence among stakeholders and political actors as well as encouraging a peaceful resolution of any election-related disputes with utmost regard to the rule of law and due process.”

Continuing, the statement said: “We ask Nigerians to apply decorum during Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections.”

The representative added: “The Chairman, Abdulsalami Abubakar, also asked me to convey his appreciation to the leadership of all political parties in Anambra State, especially candidates contesting for the legislative positions who have so far demonstrated their commitment to peaceful election in the state.”

The two NPC leaders further reminded the candidates in the race on the need to educate their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the exercise, adding that it is only in a peaceful environment that elections could be free and fair.

They also urged the candidates to eschew violence and hate speeches, and strive to adhere to the Peace Accord which leaders of the various political parties willingly assented to in Abuja in December 2018 and February 2019, before the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Obi of Onitsha was represented at the event by Chief Okey Ononye.