Political parties and their candidates contesting in the upcoming November 8, 2025 Anambra State governorship election have signed a peace accord, pledging to conduct themselves peacefully and accept the results of the poll in good faith.
The peace agreement was facilitated by The Kukah Centre under the auspices of the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah. The event took place at the International Convention Centre in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria.
The ceremony drew the participation of representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, traditional rulers, and candidates from major political parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Accord Party.
Okay News reports that the newly appointed INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, who was present in Awka for a pre-election stakeholders’ meeting, reaffirmed the commission’s preparedness to deliver what he called “a fair, transparent, and credible election that reflects the will of the people.”
“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,” Amupitan said.
He added that logistical challenges that had plagued past elections had been addressed, assuring that voting materials would reach all polling units before 7 a.m., with accreditation and voting commencing at 8:30 a.m.
“We have engaged security agencies and transport service providers to ensure smooth deployment of ad hoc officials and election materials across the 21 local government areas of the state,” Amupitan noted. “Voters should expect remarkable improvement in logistics and result management.”
The INEC Chairman revealed that a total of 2,802,790 registered voters would participate in the exercise, with 24,000 election personnel deployed to 5,718 polling units, 326 ward collation centres, and 21 local government collation centres across Anambra State.
He assured political parties that the collation of results would be transparent, with party agents present at every stage, and results strictly aligned with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) records.
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Deputy Inspector-General Ben Okoro emphasized that the police would ensure adequate security and neutrality during the election.
“The peace accord signifies the importance of political tolerance and respect for democratic values,” Okoro stated. “We urge all candidates and their supporters to commit genuinely to peace before, during, and after the election.”
He cautioned that no political appointee, candidate, or VIP would be allowed to move around with armed escorts on Election Day, warning that any individual or group attempting to disrupt the election would face decisive legal action.
Okoro further warned non-state actors, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to stay away from the process, stating that federal security agencies would handle election protection exclusively.
“The police will remain neutral and professional in their duties. Any interference by IPOB, ESN, or other non-state actors will be met with an immediate and lawful response,” he added.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 officers, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will provide 10,250 personnel, with additional support from other federal agencies.
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Anambra chapter, Chief Ugwoji, called on INEC to uphold transparency and urged voters to reject violence and inducement.
“Peace means law and order, freedom from interference, and goodwill. We enjoin all stakeholders to work in concert to achieve these peace derivatives,” Ugwoji said.
Delivering a message of moral guidance, Bishop Matthew Kukah urged candidates to uphold the spirit of the accord and demonstrate sportsmanship, describing the peace signing as “a hand-holding exercise to make democracy more functional for the people.”
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, who is also the APGA candidate, expressed optimism about a peaceful election.
“My fellow candidates are all my friends. By Saturday, the ‘roforofo’ (political battle) will end, and by Sunday, we’ll know our stand after INEC declares the results. What we signed today must be domesticated,” Soludo said.
He praised INEC and security agencies for their preparations, saying the processes put in place inspire confidence in the credibility of the election.
Traditional leaders, including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, also encouraged citizens to vote peacefully and according to conscience, urging them to reject vote buying and election apathy.
In an operational update, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra State, revealed that non-sensitive materials had already been distributed to all local government areas, 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,” Agwu said, adding that generators had been provided at collation centres to guarantee an uninterrupted power supply during result compilation.
