The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Donald Duke and that of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, were absent at the signing of a peace pact for 2019 presidential candidates in Abuja.
It was not immediately clear why the candidates failed to turn up at the event.
On his part, President Buhari has arrived at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja for the signing of the peace accord by all the presidential candidates, gunning for election next February.
The ceremony is the brainchild of the National Peace Committee for the 2019 General Elections, headed by a former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
A similar pact was signed by presidential candidates in 2015 and the committee was widely deemed crucial to the peaceful outcome of that contentious election.
The ceremony was attended by diplomatic corps, international community, religious and traditional rulers.
Speaking as the guest speaker, the former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon advised the Presidential candidates and their political parties to honour the agreement they have signed in the interest of the nation.
On its part, the European Union delegation advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be neutral in the election saying Nigeria set a record of credible and transparent election for Africa and the world to emulate in 2015, advising that such gain recorded should be consolidated.