Edo: “Tinubu Did Not Sign Peace Accord Either” – Bishop Kukah

Matthew Hassan-Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, has stated that candidates cannot be forced to sign a peace accord for the upcoming Edo governorship election in 2024.

The peace accord, organized by the National Peace Committee led by former Nigerian Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, aims to prevent electoral violence ahead of periodic elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has chosen not to sign the pre-election peace accord, which has become a routine practice over the past decade.

During an Edo Election Security Townhall in Benin City on Sunday, Bishop Kukah, who is one of the organizers of the National Peace Committee, explained that the committee cannot compel any candidate to sign the accord.

He pointed out that while the PDP’s refusal to sign sends a negative message to Nigerians, it is not legally binding. Kukah noted that President Bola Tinubu, as a presidential candidate, also did not sign the accord at that time.

“The National Peace Committee’s work is not governed by the Electoral Act or any law. It is based on moral principles. You cannot force people to be kind,” Kukah said. He recalled that in the 2019 election, PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar initially did not sign the Peace Accord but later joined in.

He added, “It’s worth noting that the current president did not sign when he was a candidate either. It’s unfortunate, but we won’t take legal action against anyone for not signing. The main issue is that not signing can send a wrong signal that might be used against the candidate by the opposition.”

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