The ailing presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, was on Thursday represented by his running mate, Kashim Shettima as presidential candidates of various political parties in Nigeria converged on Abuja to sign a National Peace Accord ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Reports had it that on Monday Tinubu left Nigeria to see his doctors in London, United Kingdom, a few days before the commencement of political campaigns that kicked off on Wednesday, September 28.
Meanwhile, ahead of the presidential election scheduled to hold on February 25, 2023, former Head of State and Chairman, National Peace Committee, Abdulsalami Abubakar, had stated that politicians contesting the 2023 general election had to sign a peace pact to ensure peaceful electioneering processes during and after the election.
Announcing the signing of the Peace Accord last Thursday in Minna, Niger State, after a meeting with the committee members, Abdulsalami stated that during electioneering, politicians and their supporters usually incite the public.
The former military ruler described it as a threat to the country’s peace.
“The pattern of public communication among political actors, their publicity agents, spokespersons, and media consultants has amplified the potential for personal attacks, insults, and incitement.
“It has shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns, to consolidating identity politics and the politics of thuggery,” he said.
But at the signing of the Peace Accord which commenced today (Thursday) at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Chris Imolumen of the Accord Party (AP) were present.
However, the ailing candidate of the APC, Tinubu was represented by his running mate, Shettima.
SaharaReporters exclusively reported on Monday that Tinubu had left Nigeria to see his doctors in London, United Kingdom.
According to multiple sources, he left Nigeria at midnight on Saturday for London.
The former governor was expected to see his doctors at a Central London Clinic on Monday.
“Our principal, Tinubu is sick and tired. He is expected to see his doctors in London today at a Central London Clinic,” a source had told SaharaReporters.
“He left Nigeria 12 midnight on Saturday. He ought to have launched the Presidential Campaign Council today but it was postponed till Wednesday for President Muhammadu Buhari to return from the US. However, it has now been postponed indefinitely.
“There is mass disaffection within the party currently.”
The report added that the APC had to postpone the inauguration of its 422- member presidential campaign council (PCC) earlier scheduled for Monday, and later for Wednesday.