Group Reminds Ondo Governorship Candidates Of Visa Ban, Tasks Abdulsalami Committee On Electoral Reforms

Ondo map Situation Room

The Centre for Liberty has urged candidates participating within the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State to abide by the peace accord they signed and commit themselves to a violence-free poll.

The group during a statement by its Co-conveners, Ariyo-Dare Atoye and Adebayo Raphael, asked security agencies to measure up to their responsibilities by protecting staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and ensuring free, fair, credible and peaceful election.

The statement reads, “On Saturday, October 10, 2020, the great people of Ondo State will attend the polls to exercise their democratic right to vote for candidates of their choice. Despite the unfortunate occurrences of violence before the polls, and through pre-election campaigns, we are optimistic that security agencies will live up to their responsibility on polling day by protecting the permanent and ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and ensuring free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. 

READ ALSO: It Appears God Wants Igbo To Be President In 2023, Ex-Anambra Governor, Ezeife Says

“However, because the governorship candidates participating within the election are made to sign a peace accord and plan to a violence-free election, we wish to remind them to abide by this agreement as there's no alternative to a reputable election during a democracy. 

“It has been made clear by our foreign partners, that any plan to undermine the credibility of the electoral process shall attract international sanctions, and as a corporation , we shall not hesitate to demand for visa ban against any erring official or personality. it's a part of the mandate of our organisation, Centre for Liberty, during this election to guage the conduct of political parties, their candidates and supporters, security agencies and other electoral stakeholders. 

“Meanwhile, we wish to understand the big contribution of the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee in continuing to galvanize peace initiatives before and through our elections, also as in committing all the stakeholders to electoral stability.

“While the first step of the NPC is laudable, we however, wish to encourage the group to equally plan to an everlasting electoral reforms which will institutionalize their peace framework, and guarantee free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.”

NaijaGistReporters