Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), has vowed that the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election will be peaceful and credible, warning political parties and their candidates against violating the peace accord signed ahead of the poll.
Speaking at the signing of the Peace Accord on Monday, November 3, in Awka, the INEC boss said the commission has put everything in place to ensure a transparent process, stressing that only genuine commitment to peace, not mere signatures, can guarantee order on election day.
“It is not the signatures on this document that guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions,” Professor Amupitan said.
The peace accord, organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, brought together candidates, political parties, and security agencies ahead of Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election.
Professor Amupitan praised the NPC for its “unwavering commitment to fostering peaceful elections in Nigeria,” noting that the devolution of the peace initiative to off-cycle polls had helped to reduce political tension in states.
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“After witnessing the success of the Peace Accord at the national level, the NPC graciouslyINEC, Anambra election, Joash Amupitan, National Peace Committee, Abdulsalami Abubakar agreed, five years ago, to our request to devolve its signing,” he said, adding that, “This became necessary given the tensions and violence that have accompanied some past elections.”
He urged the 16 participating political parties to ensure that their supporters respect the peace agreement and avoid actions that could trigger violence or disrupt the electoral process.
The INEC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s readiness for the election, assuring voters that their ballots would count.
“We are fully prepared to deliver a credible election that reflects the will of the people,” he said.
He concluded by appealing to all stakeholders to work together to sustain peace before, during, and after the election, warning that any attempt to derail the process would be met with the full weight of the law.