The National Peace Committee (NPC) has come up with an agenda for a peaceful General election next year.
The meeting in the residence of its Chairman and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, said the Committee stood stoutly against any form of vote buying and fake news during the 2023 general elections.
The committee agreed that candidates and their Spokespersons will sign two peace Accords ahead of the elections.
In a two page statement made available to newsmen at the end of the meeting in Minna, General Abdulsalami Abubakar reminded all Nigerians that the 2023 general election must end in peace without any rancor.
“2023 is more than an election. It is an opportunity to serve Nigeria, to defend Nigeria and to uphold her unity and progress.
“Nigerians should avoid the spread of fake news and uphold the principles of tolerance, respect, civility and decency in all public and private conversations and engagements about elections and the progress of Nigeria.”
“All political actors especially their publicity agents and media advisers should shun personal attacks, avoid insults and incitements reject the spread of fake news and commit to issue- based campaigns and political rallies in the upcoming 2023 general elections.”
“The pattern of public communication among political actors, their publicity agents, spokespersons and media consultants has amplified the potential for personal attacks, insults, and incitement.”
“The attacks by politicians and their supporters on their opponents have moved from issue based campaigns which has relegated civility to the background and 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.”