Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu was conspicuously missing on Thursday at the signing of the peace accord for a peaceful campaign organized by the National Peace Committee (NPC).
The historic peace accord which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja was attended by the Presidential candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) Rabiu Kwankwaso and many other contenders.
The former Lagos governor however was represented by his running mate, Kassim Shettima, confirming the speculations that he was not in the country at the moment.
Tinubu’s absence may not be unconnected with the rumour that he has travelled abroad for medical reasons.
According to multiple sources, Tinubu left Nigeria at midnight on Saturday for London. The former governor was expected to see his doctors at a Central London Clinic on Monday.
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On Wednesday, the Deputy Director of the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole has said he does not know the whereabouts of Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the party.
The former Edo governor during an interview on Channels TV Politics Today on Wednesday said he was not sure if Tinubu was in Nigeria or not.
Delivering his goodwill message, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu commended the NPC for organizing the event.
According to him, the initiative in 2015 and 2019 had all political parties and candidates committed themselves to a peaceful election by signing the national peace accord organized by the NPC.
“Today, the NPC is taking another giant step by inviting parties and candidates to commit to peaceful electioneering campaigns. This is important considering the connection between peaceful campaigns on the one hand and peaceful and credible elections on the other, The Commission appreciates the positive role of the NPC in the progressive improvement of our elections in Nigeria.
Prof. Yakubu explained that the Electoral Act 2022 provides for campaigns in public by political parties to commence no earlier than 150 days before polling day.
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“Accordingly, campaigns by political parties for the 2023 General Election officially commenced yesterday Wednesday 28th September 2022. This will continue until 24 hours before polling day i.e. 23rd February 2023 for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) and 9th March 2023 for State elections (Governorship and Houses of Assembly).
“The implication is that for the next 148 days, political parties, candidates and their supporters are free to traverse the country holding meetings, rallies, processions and door-to-door campaigns. They will grant interviews, sponsor indoor and outdoor advertisements and publish other campaign materials. This is often a delicate period characterized by excitement and anxiety.
“The 2023 General Election will be conducted for 1,491 constituencies nationwide made up of one Presidential constituency, 28 Governorship elections, 109 Senatorial Districts, 360 Federal constituencies and 993 State Assembly constituencies. Every constituency is important. Every election is important.