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2015: Wole Soyinka Commends Peace Agreement Reached By Jonathan, Buhari Others

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Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has commended the peace undertaking signed by major political parties and their candidates ahead of next month’s general elections.

He however denied endorsing any presidential or governorship candidate for the February elections.

In a statement Thursday, Mr. Soyinka described the move, in which parties agreed to avoid actions that could promote violence during and after the polls, as a step in the right direction.

“It was with high expectations that I went through details of the Abuja peace accord recently agreed by the political party leaders, mandating decent and civilized campaign conduct among the contestants, their agents and supporters,” said Mr. Soyinka, a Professor of Comparative Literature.

“I was not disappointed. It is a positive step in the direction of democracy, for which I must commend the efforts of those seasoned interventionists, Emeka Anyaoku and Kofi Annan.”

Mr. Soyinka said that if adhered to with good will and sincerity, the accord would ensure a wholesome space for future elections, and pre-empt further violence.

“It might even come close to what the democratic ideal should be, as canvassed by others, including Governor Fashola a few years ago – a people’s fiests.”

Messrs Anyaoku and Annan were in attendance on Wednesday as seven presidential candidates, including President Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, candidates of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, respectively openly spoke against violence and committed to peaceful polls.

 

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