I Was Not Invited To Sign Peace Accord– Atiku

  The PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar last night explained why they did not take part in signing the peace accord.

   The party in a statement last night by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the PDP would visit the office of the NPC to look into the details of the document and fulfill its obligation in order to guarantee a peaceful election. “The party regrets that it was not represented at the signing of the peace accord in Abuja on Tuesday, due to communication lapse between the National Peace Committee (NPC) and the party’s national secretariat. “Already, the party is conducting investigations into the circumstances that could have resulted to this unfortunate communication lapse.

  “Nevertheless, it is instructive to state that our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the party are fully committed to a peaceful electoral process and elections in 2019. “Our presidential candidate is known worldwide as a global ambassador of peace, who will always support processes that will engender peace in our country and the world over. “In the same vein, our party is also known for peaceful conduct in all activities, electoral processes and all elections conducted at all levels in our country, since its inception in 1998,” the party said. Similarly, Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku, said his principal did not receive an invitation.

   “I can confirm to you that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of the PDP and former Vice President of Nigeria did not receive any formal invitation to the signing of the peace pact,” he said. Speaking on the matter, a source in the Atiku campaign organization, said as a peace-loving citizen, the former vice president did not violate any law by not signing the accord. “The PDP presidential candidate will do everything humanly possible to ensure a hitch-free election in 2019; this is despite the fact that he is fully aware that the APC led government is not willing to conduct a free and fair election.

   “So, the world is watching; it is one thing to sign the peace accord and it is another thing for the ruling government under the APC which is desperate to win to do the right thing,” he said. In his remarks, General Abubakar said 91 political parties and 73 presidential candidates were invited. He described the signing of the pact as a crowning moment for the consolidation of all peace efforts so far made towards the forthcoming general elections.

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