Peaceful 2019 Poll: Why I didn’t sign accord – Atiku
Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who was conspicuously absent at the signing of a peace accord towards violent-free 2019 general elections, has said he was not present because he was not invited.
Atiku, who is the main rival of President Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate in the presidential election, was noticeable among the candidates absent at the event which held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, on Tuesday.
The National Peace Committee, which organised the event, had said invitation was sent to all the 73 presidential candidates contesting the 2019 elections.
In a swift reaction, Paul Ibe, Atiku’s spokesman, quoted the presidential candidate as saying he was not invited to the programme.
“His Excellency did not get any invitation for the programme. I have spoken with him and I can confirm he wasn’t invited,” Ibe told an online newspaper (not The DEFENDER).
Donald Duke of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Kingsley Moghalu of Young Progressives Party (YPP), Oby Ezekwesili of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Omoyele Sowore of Action Alliance, were among the presidential candidates absent.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari was among those present at the occasion.
Accompanied by APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Buhari appealed to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to put Nigeria first in the discharge of their duties during the polls.
