Don’t Cry More Than Bereave, Bishop Kukah Cautions Supporters Of Governorship Candidates, Political Parties 

By Joseph Sunday 

The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto and the Convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukak has cautioned the supporters of the 17 Governorship Candidates and that of their political parties contesting the November 16th Governorship Election in Ondo State, not to cry more than the bereaved. 

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The Convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukak who initiated the Signing of the Peace Accord precisely in 2015 gave the above advise on Friday, 8th of November, 2024 at the official signing of the Peace Accord by political parties and governorship candidates ahead of the 2024 Ondo State off-circle governorship election held at the Dome International Culture and Event Centre in Akure, Ondo State. 

Bishop Matthew Kukak while speaking at the event pressed it on the voters to vote to stay alive. He berated the attitude of the supporters who in the name of loyalty to candidates and political parties many atimes acts in contrary to their stand. 

During the event, Bishop Kukah led those present to stand up to observe some minutes silence in the memory and honour of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. 

Earlier before, the former Head of State in the Country, and the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, while welcoming dignitaries to the event, said, “it is another opportunity to witness the signing of another peace accord in the State. He urged the party leaders and candidates to accept the outcome of the elections as long as it is free, fair and credible. 

Abubakar also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for the work they have done, urging them to ensure the remaining process are free, fair and  credible.

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He also called on the Police to ensure there is adequate security provision for the people of Ondo State. He expressed his appreciation for the Governor of Ondo State, for keeping the State peaceful.

He went to encouraged the people of Ondo State to come out in their large numbers to exercise their voting rights and avoid selling their votes.

He emphasized the need to put an end to vote buying and pleaded with leaders of the 17 political parties in the State not to make inciteful statements as the day of the gets closer. 

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Adding, the former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar appealed to politicians to shun violence during the election. 

In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, expressed the confidence that the signing of the Peace Accord by the various stakeholders will aid the peaceful conduct of the Ondo State Governorship election.

He however implored the candidates and the political party leaders to commit themselves to following it the terms of agreement as provided in the accord.

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Addressing the governorship candidates, the political party chairmen as well as other major political stakeholders and gladiators, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, in Abuja, DIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi while reading the riots acts to the candidates and political parties leaders warned them that, attempting to canvass for votes during the voting arena on the election day, or in possession of weapons and blarring of sirens among others are classified as punishable under the law. 

The IGP also assured the safety of all the public infrastructures in the State before and after the November 16th Saturday Governorship Election in Ondo State. 

Speaking on behalf of the 17 Governorship Candidates at the signing of the Peace Accord, the Governor of Ondo State, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa commended the National Peace Accord Committee under the leadership of the Alhaji Abubakar Abdulsalami, the Chairman of the Peace Accord Committee and its Convener, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukak, recognizing the sacrifices they made to come to the State for the peace meeting. 

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The Governor thereafter pledged on behalf of all the other candidates to abide by the tenets displayed for the Peace Accord signed by them. He promised that anybody them who emerged in the election would automatically accept defeat. 

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