‎Political parties and their candidates participating in the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election on Monday signed a peace accord, pledging to uphold non-violence and respect the outcome of the poll.

‎The peace pact, organised by the Kukah Centre under the auspices of the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and Bishop Matthew Kukah, was signed at the International Convention Centre, Awka.

‎The event was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, traditional rulers, and candidates of major political parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance, All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, African Democratic Congress, Accord Party, and others.

‎INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, who was in Awka for a stakeholders’ meeting, reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to deliver a credible, transparent, and peaceful election.

‎“Our responsibility is to the people of this nation. We are fully prepared to deliver an election that is fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s will,” he said.

‎Amupitan said INEC had addressed the perennial challenge of logistics, adding that all election materials would arrive at polling units by 7 a.m. while voting would commence by 8:30 a.m. without delay.

‎He stated, “We have engaged security agencies and transport service providers to ensure smooth deployment of ad hoc officials and materials across the 21 local government areas. Voters should expect remarkable improvement in logistics and result management.”

‎The INEC chairman said the commission had approved a final register of 2,802,790 eligible voters, with 24,000 personnel to be deployed across 5,718 polling units, 326 ward collation centres, and 21 local government collation centres in Awka.

‎He assured parties that collation of results would be done transparently and in the presence of party agents, with results strictly aligned to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System  records

‎Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ben Okoro, assured of adequate security across all 21 LGAs.

‎He said, “The peace accord signifies the importance of political tolerance and respect for democratic values. We urge all candidates and their supporters to commit genuinely to peace before, during, and after the election.

‎“The police will remain neutral and professional in the discharge of their duties. We commend the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, for his proactive engagements in ensuring peaceful participation.”

‎Egbetokun warned that any individual or group attempting to disrupt the electoral process would face “decisive and lawful force,” noting that no political appointee, candidate, or VIP would be allowed to move with armed escorts on Election Day.

‎He cautioned non-state actors such as the Indigenous People of Biafra  and the Eastern Security Network to steer clear of the process, stressing that security during the election rests solely with federal law enforcement agencies.

‎“Any attempt by IPOB, ESN, or any other non-state actor to interfere with the election shall be met with an immediate and overwhelming law enforcement response,” he warned.

‎He said the police would deploy 45,000 personnel, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps would provide 10,250 officers, in addition to operatives from other agencies.

‎Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Anambra chapter, Chief Ugwoji, urged INEC to ensure transparency and fairness while calling on voters to avoid inducement and violence.

‎He said, “Peace, as we know, means law and order, freedom from interference, and goodwill. We enjoin all stakeholders to work in concert to achieve these peace derivatives.”

‎Ugwoji also advised INEC to ensure that polling cubicles were spacious enough to protect voter privacy and reduce the chances of inducement or vote buying.

‎At the peace accord signing, Bishop Matthew Kukah urged all candidates to fully commit themselves to the letter and spirit of the peace accord.

‎“Shun violence and intimidation. Demonstrate sportsmanship — a key trait of good leadership,” he said, commending security agencies for maintaining peace in the state.

‎He described the accord as “a hand-holding exercise aimed at making democracy more functional for the people.”

‎Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Anambra State Governor and APGA candidate, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, promised to abide by the rules of the election.

‎He said, “My fellow candidates are all my friends. By Saturday, the ‘roforofo’ will end, and by Sunday, we’ll know our stand after INEC declares the results.

‎“What we signed today must be domesticated. If each of us commits to implementing this agreement, we can ensure a free, fair, and credible election.”

‎Soludo also commended INEC and the police for their readiness, saying, “The processes deployed in Anambra give us confidence that a credible election is assured.”

‎Other candidates also pledged to respect the peace accord and urged their supporters to act responsibly.

‎The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, urged voters to exercise their civic rights peacefully and vote according to their conscience.

‎“There is a need for the people to shun vote buying and apathy. The future of Anambra depends on the decisions made at the polls,” he said.

‎Achebe also called on the Federal Government to sustain efforts to alleviate poverty and insecurity across the country.

‎Providing an operational update, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra, Dr Elizabeth Agwu, said non-sensitive materials had been distributed to all LGAs, while BVAS devices had been fully configured and tested.

‎“We have left nothing to chance. From personnel training to material deployment, every step has been taken to ensure a smooth, credible, and technology-driven election,” she said.

‎Agwu added that generators had been provided to ensure uninterrupted power supply at critical locations during collation.

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