Ahead of the Nigerian presidential elections scheduled to take place on February 16, the candidates in that vote signed a peace accord on Wednesday, pledging to foster peace beyond the vote.
By signing the accord, the candidates also promised to accept the outcome of the election as will be declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The agreement came at a time when tension was building up in the West African country, as the main parties in the vote traded accusations of plots to spur violence.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) party’s candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) party’s pick, Atiku Abubakar, both promised to foster peace and urged their supporters to remain calm during and after the election.
Many Nigerians were impressed by the gesture, expressing hope that the accord will ensure peace in the country.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, hosting more than 190 million people. The country is home to over 250 ethnic groups. The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausa/Fulani (29%), Yoruba (21%) and Igbo (19%).
The uniting languages of the country are English and the Nigerian Pidgin.
Also, Nigeria is a multi-religious country, but the main religions are Christianity and Islam.
With such vast diversities, the citizens of the country hope the election ahead will not be used as an excuse for any eruption of violence or chaos. They hope the accord signed on Wednesday can ensure peace reigns even after the vote.
CGTN Africa had a sit down with the president of the Accountable Leadership for a Better Nigeria Initiative (ALBNI) Remi Adebayo, and got his opinion on the importance of the peace accord to Nigeria. Here’s what he had to say;
