Candidates vying for Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State has signed a peace pact on Tuesday at the International Cultural and Event Centre, The Dome in Akure.
The candidates also vowed to accept the verdict of the gubernatorial election in the state.
Among the candidates who signed the peace pact were Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eyitayo Jegede of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Martin Olateru-Olagbegi of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Rotimi Adeleye of the Accord Party (AP)
The candidates, however enjoined tbe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be fair and objective throughout the electioneering process
Addressing the candidates, former Head of State, Gen. Abdudalami Abubakar (rtd), the National Chairman of the Peace Committee advised political stakeholders across the state to give peace a chance noting that nothing could be achieved in the atmosphere of rancour
Also, Oba Fedrick Obateru- Akinruntan the state chairman, Council of Obas and a member of the Peace Committee, Bishop Mathew Kukah as well as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad- Abubakar urged the governorship candidates to play by the rules saying the governorship position was meant for a person
Alhaji Abubakar also cautioned their followers especially the youths against being used for thuggery.
Meanwhile, the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who decried the recent political heat in the state polity enjoined the supporters to be tolerant adding that the commission would remain fair to all parties to achieve credible governorship election.