Nigeria’s political rivals on Tuesday signed a peace pact ahead of next year’s general elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari and other opposition politicians signed the agreement in the capital, Abuja.
But the President’s key rival for the elections, Atiku Abubakar from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not attend the event.
Also absent was the female candidate Oby Ezekwesili, who was a former education minister and ex-World Bank vice-president.
The 75-year-old leader said “We, the candidates pledge to uphold the highest standard of conduct and encourage our teeming supporters to do the same”.
The peace pact is meant to ensure that the elections are held peacefully without violent incidences. The agreement for the 2015 polls is similar to the one signed this year for next year’s elections.
Campaigns are already ongoing for the 2019 elections. A new law now allows for Presidential candidates to spend not more than $14m on their campaigns.
For candidates aspiring for governorship positions, spending limit has been placed at $3m. Those hoping to get to the Senate must not spend beyond $700,000.
For house of Representatives positions, candidates cannot spend beyond $280,000.
These measures are part of an electoral act passed by the lawmakers to improve electioneering processes in Nigeria.
Source: Africafeeds.com
