ABUJA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The EU observer mission in Nigeria on Thursday hailed the pre-electoral process in Nigeria, saying the final peace accord signed by the presidential candidates ahead of the 2019 presidential election is a very strong message.
Maria Arena, chief observer of EU Election Observation Mission in Nigeria, gave the positive assessment of the country's preparation after a private meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
Arena said the participation of the two front runners, the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), at the peace accord was significant.
Buhari, Abubakar and other candidates signed the final peace accord on Wednesday.
Arena told reporters that EU observation mission is in Nigeria to monitor the process before, during and after the presidential election day, which is on Feb. 16.
Buhari had during the signing of the peace accord appealed to his fellow presidential candidates to commit to the ideals of peace so as to keep Nigerians safe.
He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already assured that it had done everything possible to ensure free and fair elections.
By signing the document, the candidates and their political parties are expected to avoid hate speeches, fake news or any act capable of causing socio-political unrest in the country.
Some of the previous elections in the West African country were hit by post-election violence in which scores were reportedly killed.
