Governor Simon Lalong and other Gubernatorial aspirants sign peace agreement today in Jos.
Ahead of the 2019 Governorship elections in Plateau State, Governor
Simon Lalong who is the Candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC,
General Jeremiah Useni rtd the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic
Party PDP and General Jon Temlong the Candidate of the Action Democratic
Party ADC including eleven others on Thursday signed a Peace
commitment agreement for the conduct of free and fair election in the
state.
The signing of the Peace agreement organised by the Dialogue,
Reconciliation and Peace Centre Kwang was held on Thursday under the
supervision of the Catholic Dioceses of Jos, Traditional Rulers,
Religious Leaders, Security Agencies, Political Parties amongst other
stakeholders.
Speaking during the Peace agreement, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos,
Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama tasked all the Governorship Candidates in the
state against hate Speech, blackmail and intimidation.
“We want assurance from each of you candidates that you will run only
issue based campaigns, free of hate speeches, insults, intimidation,
blackmail and inciting comments”.
According to him, considering the nexus that exists between elections
and violent conflicts in Nigeria as past experience has shown, said
there was need for all Candidates and Political parties to productively
discuss ways to prevent all forms of violence during campaigns and
election.
Kaigama advised all of them to call their followers and supporters to
exercise great restraint and conduct themselves Peacefully.
” You are all seeking to be elected not for your personal gains, but for
the good of the citizens of Plateau State, and we request you to put
Plateau State and its citizens first in all you do and say during the
period of campaigns and elections”.
Governor Simon Lalong in his remark pledged to create an enable
environment for the Conduct of free and fair election in the state
Part of the Peace agreement reads, “We the Candidates of the 2019
Governorship Elections in Plateau State gathered at the Dialogue,
Reconciliation and Peace(DREP) Centre Kwang, Jos on this 10th January,
2019 in the presence of the Leadership of our political parties, eminent
traditional rulers, Security chiefs, Religious leaders and other
stakeholders do hereby commit ourselves to the Peaceful conduct of our
campaign leading to Peaceful elections
