Following the spate of attacks on political parties’ rallies in some parts of the country, the signing of the Peace Accord by the 18 presidential candidates contesting the 2023 elections might not guarantee credible and violence-free polls in the country next year.
It is against this background that the Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC) convened a meeting of political parties’ governorship candidates in the State with a view towards ensuring that a peaceful election is conducted.
Liberty news correspondent Gaddafi Al-Bashir spoke to two stakeholders, who are members of the political parties that attended the event.
Excerpts:
Que: Can you please introduce yourself for the benefit of our viewers and listeners?
Ans: My name is Ambassador Sanin Yaya, the Young Progressive Party, (YPP) gubernatorial candidate for Kaduna State.
Que: What is the purpose of convening this event?
Ans: Thank you. This event was convened under the umbrella of the Kaduna state chapter of the Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC), which is the umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria, under the leadership of Alhaji Mika’ilu Abubakar.
The purpose of our meeting is to bring together all the governorship candidates of the various political parties as well as chairmen of the local government councils ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general election.
One of the main agendas that was achieved at the forum was the election of four committee members, who will steer the affairs with respect to the upcoming general elections.
The first committee comprises the Monitoring and Sensitization Committee, which has the task of ensuring that a peaceful election is conducted. The second committee is the Fund Raising Committee, which will coordinate all aspects relating to fundraising, under the supervision of IPAC.
The third committee, which is the Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, is mandated to deal with the leadership of the various gubernatorial candidates to ensure harmony among the candidates, of which my humble self was elected as the chairman.
Que: Can you briefly tell us what was achieved during this meeting?
Ans: As you can see for yourself all the governorship aspirants and others as parents are here and we have been interacting in a peaceful and one without any rancour; this is a commendable achievement. That is how politics should be played, as well as in all spheres of human endeavour.
Que: So can we safely say that you are envisaging a peaceful forthcoming election ahead?
Ans: Yes, of course. I can assure you that the general elections will be conducted peacefully by the grace of God.
Que: How many aspiring candidates do we have now in Kaduna state?
Ans: Well, in total, we have 18 aspiring candidates in Kaduna State, and today at this meeting we have no fewer than eleven of them.
Que: (Cuts in)… Why are the others not here?
Ans: Well, as far as I know, official invitations were sent out to all of them, just like it was sent to my humble self. This was confirmed by IPAC itself. We cannot determine the reasons for their absence, but as you can see, the majority of the candidates are here. If out of 18 candidates 14 have attended, then you must agree with me that it is no small feat.
Kaduna State PDP deputy gubernatorial candidate, Doctor John Ayuba
Que: Can you please introduce yourself for the benefit of our viewers and listeners?
Ans: My name is Doctor John Ayuba, Kaduna State PDP deputy gubernatorial candidate.
Que: What is your opinion about this event?
Ans: Well, I must praise the organisers of this event for their effort, considering the fact that the aim of all the stakeholders who attended this event is to ensure a free, fair and credible election in 2023. So, you must appreciate them for their foresight and for ensuring that this event took place successfully.
Que: Considering the fact that similar events of this nature have not been successful in the past, how do you think such events should be approached going forward?
Ans: Well, as far as I’m concerned, where this kind of event do not measure up to this one that was held is simply because most of the parties concerned do not adhere to the rules and procedures guiding the set objectives. For instance, once there are guidelines that have been established, I’m there for once there is no deviation from these established guidelines and procedures and so there won’t be any problems.
Ques: What message do you have for your party supporters?
Ans: My message is that all party supporters should endeavour to ensure that all the campaigns that are scheduled to take place are conducted in a peaceful and violence-free manner that truly reflects the wishes of the electorate. This will ensure that voters who come out on Election Day cast their votes without any problems such as thuggery or any other kind of violence of a similar nature.
Ques: Why is it that all the major political party representatives attended this event but without those of the ruling All Progressives Congress Party (APC) and a few others.
Ans: I think that question should be directed to them because they’re in the best position to give their reasons why did not you did not attend this event, since I’m not a member of the APC.
