March 26, 2015

Nigeria's main presidential candidates sign peace deal

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Thursday 26 Mar 2015 - 21:02 Makkah mean time-6-6-1436




Abuja (IINA) - Nigeria's two main presidential candidates have signed an agreement to prevent violence in tightly contested elections due on Saturday.


Ex-military ruler Abdulsalami Abubakar brokered the deal in talks between President Goodluck Jonathan and his main challenger Muhammadu Buhari. The two promised to respect the outcome of a credible poll and urged their supporters to refrain from violence. Some 800 people were killed after the 2011 contest between the two rivals. Jonathan is facing a strong challenge from Gen Buhari, with some analysts predicting a photo-finish.


Thursday is the final day of campaigning and the government has closed its land and sea borders to ensure a peaceful election. The meeting between the two candidates came after Nigeria's National Peace Committee, chaired by Gen Abubakar, warned on Monday that campaigning had been marred by hate speech that could trigger a crisis in the oil-rich state.


HA/IINA





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