We’ll accept Nigeria’s election results – Jonathan and 10 others agree

Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan and ten other presidential candidates have adopted an inter-party agreement on non-violence and the acceptance of the results of the upcoming elections on 14 and 28 February.

The agreement was signed in the presence of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Wednesday.

A statement released by the Kofi Annan Foundation later in the day reported Annan as saying “I am pleased that all parties are participating in this responsible initiative.”

“It will reassure Nigerians and their international partners who are concerned about potential election-related violence and its consequences for the country’s prospects”.

“What happens in Nigeria affects all of Africa” he reiterated.

There have been fears of violence as Nigeria heads to the polls next month. World leaders have taken keen interest in the elections and are working towards a peaceful election.

The signing of the agreement by the candidates in Abuja was the highlight of a mission undertaken by Mr. Kofi Annan to support peaceful elections with integrity in Nigeria in 2015.

Mr Annan met the Chairman of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, the African ambassadors, the international community, civil society leaders, business leaders and the media.

The inter-party workshop was chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and attended by the chairmen of the two main parties, and other candidates running in the legislative and gubernatorial elections, as well as the diplomatic community and the media.

-Nathan Gadugah