Nigerian Presidential Candidates Sign Undertaking to Avoid Violence During Elections

Strategic Insights -

Ahead of the February general elections in Nigeria, leaders of the country's major political parties and their presidential candidates on Wednesday signed an undertaking to eschew actions that could promote violence during and after the polls. The rare meeting between foes, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was attended by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku. Seven presidential candidates, including frontrunners Mr. Jonathan and Mr. Buhari, openly spoke against violence and committed to a peaceful poll. The meeting was a significant step towards a peaceful election, given the history of the PDP and APC's public campaign for the crucial elections, which had been marked by a flurry of attacks between the two sides.

Key Takeaways:

  • Seven presidential candidates, including President Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, signed a non-violence undertaking ahead of the February general elections.
  • The rare meeting between the PDP and APC leaders was attended by former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku.
  • The event was organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser and SA to Mr. President on inter-party affairs.
  • President Jonathan urged politicians to avoid actions and utterances capable of inflaming passion among the electorate, citing the 2011 post-general elections as an example of a peaceful election.
  • Mr. Jonathan drew attention to the murders of 10 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi State and the killings in Kano State, despite the PDP losing the presidential election in the two states.
  • Mr. Buhari called for the strengthening of democratic institutions in Nigeria, advocating for the amendment of the electoral act to prevent cheating before every general election.
  • Former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan emphasized the strategic importance of Nigeria to the West African region and the need to avoid conflict.

Statistics:

  • At least 10 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were murdered in Bauchi State.
  • The PDP lost the presidential election in Kano State, receiving only 15% of the votes.
  • President Goodluck Jonathan's party, the PDP, lost the presidential election in other states, including Bauchi, where Mr. Jonathan received 15% of the votes.

Sources:

  • "Nigerian Presidential Candidates Sign Undertaking to Avoid Violence During Elections." Premium Times/AllAfrica Global Media (via COMTEX) Jan 15, 2015.