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.
