A youth groups under the auspices of United Front for Development of Democracy has charged Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Abba Yusuf, to respect the peace accord they have signed before the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had fixed March 23 for the re-run election in the state, following a declaration of governorship election in the state as inconclusive.
The coordinator of the group, Ismail Auwal, who made the charge during a press conference today in Kano, also called for calm among supporters of both camps, saying that there is a need for respect of the rule of law from all political parties across the state.
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He said: “We, first of all, want to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for showing a high level of professionalism and distributing materials in time and most importantly for maintaining neutrality thorough out the Process.”
The group called on the independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that high standards are met in the rerun election
“We, therefore, call on the leadership of Independent National Electoral Commission to maintain the status quo in the upcoming re-run election.”
The United Front for the development of Democracy also called for calmness and respect for rule of law, before, during and after the elections
“On this note, we call for calmness, objectivity and total respect for the rule of law from all political parties across the state in response to issues that will avert tension and situation that can exacerbate electoral violence within the state.”
The Youth advocates praised the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Wakili for his role in ensuring peace and stability during the electoral process
“We commend the effort of the Commissioner of police Kano CP Muhammad Wakili for working with great effort and maintaining peace throughout the process which makes the election to go on smoothly without much tension. We are indeed very proud of the police for not allowing any hitches to happen. “
Noting that the government has promised to fight corruption, the various youth groups cautioned the Nigerian Presidency against trying to influence outcomes of the supplementary election on March 23.
“We also call on Presidency to that for Nigerians to ensure that the campaign’s slogans of this government on fighting corruption, fairness and ensuring transparency so the Presidency shouldn’t allow the Kano State government to influence either the security or the electoral commission.”
The United front also called for a peace accord by the People’s Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress towards the elections.
“We call on the main two contestants to respect the peace accord they have signed before the election and call on them to accept defeat if any one of them lost the election, know that you are doing for the people of Kano” the group noted.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the the pro-democracy group has endorsements by various Non-governmental organisations such as Bridge Nigeria Initiative, Center for Awareness on Justice and Accountability, Center for girl and Community Engagement, Center for Girl Initiative and Community engagement and Freedom of Information Coalition.
