President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties’ standard bearers yesterday signed a National Peace Accord in Abuja.

This is the second time they have signed to ensure peace before, during and after Saturday’s presidential poll.

The deal was brokered by the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee (NPC).

President Buhari and Atiku Abubakar in a handshake flanked by Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC) and former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Heads of ECOWAS Election Observer and former Liberia President, Mrs Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other Presidential Candidates during the second signing of peace Accord for the Conduct of Nigeria’s 2019 General Election in Nigeria held at the International Conference Centre Abuja…yesterday

Buhari, who is seeking re-election on the ticket of the APC and the former vice president, eyeing the seat on the PDP platform, urged for free, fair and non-violent election.

Stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies have given their words in readiness to conduct free and fair elections, Buhari urged youths not to allow themselves to be used by self-serving politicians.

The President, who acknowledged palpable fear being expressed towards the election just like any other elections, urged Nigerians to pray as they go into the elections beginning from Saturday.

Identifying Nigeria as the “only real party”, the President noted that elections are only important to the extent to which they make the country peaceful to guarantee development.

His words: “Another election is upon us and not unexpectedly, there is anxiety in the air. This is typical of any form of competition and contest, no matter how well prepared all contestants and regulators are. The forthcoming elections are very special and significant for the growth of our democracy.

“First, they come immediately after one of the most peaceful elections in the history of our country. I am not saying this because I was blessed to emerge as the winner.

“I am saying there had been a lot of fears and anxieties from within and outside Nigeria about the future of the country.  We are hopeful that this is evidence that we are all maturing in our disposition towards electoral outcomes. We see this as an opportunity to grow our sense of political culture in Nigeria.

“Secondly, we are witnessing an exciting development in the area of the engagement of our Youth and Women in the democratic process. Hitherto, these groups have often not been in the mainstream of our political competition.

“It is in appreciation of their contribution that we passed the Not Too Young to Run Bill last year. The success of the act is illustrated by the unprecedented number of young men and women who have stepped forward to participate in this process as candidates at all levels. Significantly, we have witnessed also the emergence of women as candidates across the political space.

“Thirdly, these elections are taking place against the backdrop of the emergence of an unprecedented number of political parties. As of now, we have 91 political parties, out of which over 70 fielded presidential candidates.

“Although some candidates have dropped out of the race, there is no doubt in our minds that our country is moving forward and that our democracy is expanding and also deepening.”

“I call on all Nigerians to contribute to the building of a viable polity by more active participation well beyond the mere casting of votes. Elections by themselves do not constitute democracy. It is the spirit of citizenship engagement that utilises the energy of citizens towards the attainment of good governance.

“We have assembled here to mark the final phase of our campaigns, and we are now at the doorstep of our elections. The campaigns so far have gone well and we thank God for that. For the few incidents in which people lost their lives largely through accidents, we pray that God grants them eternal peace. Now campaigns are over and our next assignment is for us all, citizens and contestants alike, to go out and exercise our civic duties.

“We, the presidential candidates are here to sign and commit ourselves to do all that is possible to ensure the success of the elections but most importantly to accept the final outcome. I appeal to my fellow contestants to commit to these ideals so as to keep our country and people safe.”

On the preparedness for the elections, he said: “The INEC, our electoral umpire, has already assured us that they have done everything possible to ensure free and fair elections.

“It was to ensure this that I made sure that INEC received all the resources they needed to perform their job. Our Security Agencies have been fully briefed and they know that their visible neutrality is key to the conduct, credibility and success of the elections.”

Urging Nigerians to pray, he said: “As we go into the elections in few days, please let us pray for our country. Let us use this opportunity to strengthen our beliefs in a united country.

“Our elections are important only to the extent that they make our country peaceful and prepare us for development.”

Meanwhile,Atiku appealed to INEC and the security agencies to ensure free and fair elections.

The former vice president said the Nigerian democracy should emerge stronger than the 2015 general elections that were adjudged the freest and fairest in the country.

He said: “May I use this opportunity to renew my profound gratitude, firstly to my party, the PDP, and then to Gen. Abubakar and members of the NPC for their tireless enthusiasm, dedication, and passion towards ensuring the success of this peace accord process!

“Our gathering here today clearly demonstrates the importance of the upcoming elections as well as how our democracy has matured, not only to our people, but also to the international community whose solidarity, Nigeria’s democracy has benefited from.

“As we prepare to sign off on this Peace Accord, as representatives of our party and people, may I freely quote the words of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which remains a benchmark, for me, taking into account the deep feelings that prevail as February 16th, 2019, approaches.

“My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. In this context, I appeal once again to every staff and the leadership of the INEC and the Police, to be fair arbiters in the upcoming elections while letting neutrality prevail”.