A former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has stated that those contesting the 2023 general elections have to sign a peace pact.
Abubakar, who made this known in Minna on Thursday after a meeting of the committee members, stated that during electioneering, politicians and their supporters create incitements which could endanger the nation’s peace.
“The pattern of public communication among political actors, their publicity agents, spokespersons, and media consultants have amplified the potential for personal attacks, insults, and incitement,” he said.
He added that the attacks by politicians and their supporters on their opponents had moved from issue-based campaigns, thereby relegating civility to the background.
“This has relegated to the background, the civility and decency in public discourse and debate. Additionally, it has shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns to consolidating identity politics and the politics of thuggery,” Abubakar said.
The peace committee chairman added that to promote peaceful electioneering, the committee had organised the signing of a peace pact.
(PUNCH)
