Governorship candidates in Plateau on Thursday signed a peace accord toward ensuring peaceful conduct before, during and after the 2019 elections in the state.
The accord was signed by Gov. Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his main opponent, Sen. Jeremiah Useni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and 12 other candidates.
The event was organised by the Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre.
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, the Board Chairman of the Centre, said the aim of the accord was to avert violence and conflicts.
Kaigama urged the candidates to run issue-based campaigns free of hate speeches, insults, intimidation, blackmail and inciting comments.
He also stressed the need for the candidates to admonish their followers to exercise restraint and conduct themselves peacefully.
The clergy man further urged other stakeholders to shun violence and politics of bitterness, calumny, manipulation and intimidation.
NAN reports that 21 political parties are contesting for the gubernatorial seat.
