Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, aspirants of the 18 political parties cleared to participate in the election have signed a peace pact in Abuja.
The Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former military head of state, Abdusalami Abubakar appealed to the 18 political parties, their presidential candidates, and spokespersons to commit to issues-based campaigns, as fake news and misinformation are already creating a toxic environment that is capable of threatening the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
Some members of the National Peace Committee who are already seated include Bishop Hassan Kukah, John Onayeikan, John Momoh, Aliko Dangote, as well as Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
Some of the presidential candidates at the event include Labour Party’s Peter Obi, Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar, New Nigeria Peoples Party’s Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress.
However, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress was absent but his running mate, Kashim Shettima, was seen at the programme.
The Independent National Electoral Commission on September 21, 2022, released the final list of candidates for national elections, namely presidential, senatorial and federal constituencies, in line with the 2023 elections timetable earlier released in the year.
INEC, which confirmed this in a statement by the National Commissioner in Charge of Voters’ Education, Festus Okoye, also posted the list on its website.
The list contained 36 presidential candidates and the running mates of 18 political parties. Also, a total of 4,223 candidates will battle for 469 legislative positions (senatorial and federal constituencies) at the federal level.
