Tension In Bauchi: Abdusalami Committee Calms Stakeholders
The National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has appealed to stakeholders to calm their supporters in the wake of the halted collation of result for the March 9 governorship election in Bauchi State.
The Committee also urged all political actors to rein in their supporters and ensure their peaceful conduct while awaiting the outcome of Federal High Court’s order on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Court, sitting in Abuja, had restrained INEC from resuming collation of election result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, which is the remaining Council Area whose results are yet to be announced.
Speaking at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders on the need to maintain peace over the 2019 elections for governorship and State House of Assembly outcome, General Abubakar said it was important to strengthen mutual confidence among politicians as well as encourage non-violent resolution of all election-related issues in line with due process and the rule of law.
The former Head of State, represented by a member and Deputy Director of The Kukah Centre, Mr Duke Anoemuah, pleaded with all political actors to preach the message of peace to their followers; comport themselves and shun resentment that could result in avoidable hostilities.
Abubakar also said at the meeting tagged: ‘Ensuring peaceful Co-existence during the elections in Bauchi State’ that; “This meeting is geared to reinforce peace, the message of peace and to implore actors and their supporters to accept the outcome of the results of various levels of the electioneering process.”
According to him; the engagement process “would help to strengthen mutual confidence among politicians and to encourage peaceful resolution of all election- related disputes with utmost regard to the rule of law and the due process.
Following the Returning Officer’s declaration of the March 9 State governorship election as inconclusive and INEC’s eventual somersault to resume results’ collation, the atmosphere in Bauchi state has been quite intense with agitated supporters embarking on streets protests to drive home their concerns.
The protesters, comprising mostly women and youths in the State, have continued to register their displeasure with the recent court order from Abuja.
Storming the streets with placards carrying different inscriptions and chanting solidarity songs to express their unhappiness over the court decision, the protesters have remained adamant, accusing the State Government and some powerful forces of trying to truncate the electoral will of the people for their selfish interests. – With agency reports
