INEC Chairman Assures Anambra of Peaceful, Credible Governorship Election at Peace Accord Signing
As Anambra State prepares for the crucial off-cycle governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025, the eyes of the nation once again turn to Nigeria’s political heartbeat in the South-East. The state, renowned for its high political consciousness and dynamic citizen engagement, is on the threshold of another democratic test — one that will either reaffirm public confidence in the electoral system or deepen the wounds of distrust that have haunted past polls.
At the Peace Accord Signing Ceremony held in Awka, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash O. Amupitan (SAN), delivered a message of firm assurance to the people of Anambra and Nigerians at large: the forthcoming election will be peaceful, credible, and transparently managed.
The event, convened by the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), brought together an array of political stakeholders — from party candidates and traditional rulers to security chiefs, civil society groups, and religious leaders — all united by one shared purpose: to ensure that democracy in Anambra State is protected through peace and mutual respect.
The Peace Accord, first introduced during the 2015 general elections, has since become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democratic architecture. Its essence lies not merely in the signatures affixed to a document but in the collective moral responsibility it invokes.
In his remarks, Professor Amupitan praised the National Peace Committee for its consistency in championing electoral harmony and de-escalating tensions before, during, and after elections. He recalled the Commission’s partnership with the NPC in recent years and credited the devolution of the Peace Accord to off-cycle governorship elections as a strategic intervention that has helped minimize violence in volatile contexts.
“After witnessing the success of the Peace Accord at the national level,” the INEC Chairman noted, “the NPC graciously agreed, five years ago, to our request to devolve its signing to off-cycle elections. This became necessary given the tensions and violence that have accompanied some past polls. We have since seen measurable improvements.”
He, however, struck a tone of caution and realism:
“It is not the signatures on this document that guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions. Peace is not declared by pen and paper — it is lived and practiced by conduct, words, and example.”
This statement, delivered with calm authority, resonated deeply with both candidates and observers present at the ceremony.
Professor Amupitan’s message was a clear reminder that democracy cannot thrive without discipline and self-restraint. He challenged political parties and their candidates to transcend empty rhetoric and take ownership of their role in building an atmosphere of trust.
“We urge all candidates, political parties, and their supporters to let the message of peace cascade from this hall into every ward, community, and polling unit in Anambra State. Election is not war. It is a contest of ideas, a reflection of choice, and an opportunity to serve,” he said.
He further emphasized that INEC’s role is to act as an impartial referee — not a participant — and that the Commission’s credibility depends on the collective responsibility of all actors to respect the rules of engagement.
In a detailed breakdown of INEC’s preparations, Professor Amupitan assured that the Commission has fine-tuned its operational framework to address logistical challenges that often mar electoral processes.
He disclosed that over 24,000 ad-hoc and permanent staff will be deployed across Anambra’s 5,718 Polling Units, 326 Wards, and 21 Local Government Areas, supported by hundreds of Collation and Registration Area Centres.
“We have strengthened our logistics chain to ensure early deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive materials. Voters should therefore expect significant improvement in Election Day logistics,” he said.
The Chairman further revealed that INEC has finalized the voter register, with 2,802,790 eligible voters confirmed for the election. To ensure inclusivity, the Commission extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) until Sunday, November 2, 2025, providing more time for citizens to prepare for participation.
According to him, INEC has also conducted comprehensive mock accreditation exercises using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to ensure its functionality in diverse terrains across Anambra.
“Our technology has been tested, our logistics streamlined, and our staff retrained. We are confident in the integrity of the process we have built,” Professor Amupitan added.
In one of the most emphatic portions of his speech, the INEC Chairman issued a stern warning against electoral malpractice, particularly vote-buying and intimidation — two persistent threats to Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Let me be clear: anyone — individual, group, or party — who attempts to subvert the will of the people will be firmly confronted within the strong hands of the law,” he declared.
He announced that INEC, in collaboration with security agencies, has established surveillance and monitoring teams dedicated to identifying and prosecuting those involved in electoral corruption.
The Chairman’s firm tone reflected the Commission’s new posture of zero tolerance for compromise and its intent to restore public faith in the sanctity of the ballot.
One of the defining themes of the Peace Accord ceremony was the reassurance of a secure environment for voters. Professor Amupitan disclosed that the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) — jointly chaired by INEC and the Nigeria Police Force — has developed a comprehensive security deployment plan.
Under the arrangement:
- The Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 officers,
- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will provide 10,250 personnel,
- And other agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), will contribute specialized units to ensure order.
“The synergy among security agencies has been exceptional,” Amupitan observed. “We are working with a unified command structure that prioritizes intelligence-sharing, rapid response, and community engagement.”
He urged citizens to cooperate with security personnel and refrain from spreading false alarms that could cause panic or distrust.
The event’s host, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), reiterated the NPC’s long-standing commitment to stabilizing Nigeria’s electoral climate. He noted that peace is not just the absence of violence but the active presence of justice and trust.
“We must remember that democracy is a journey, not a destination. The Peace Accord reminds us that no ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian,” Abdulsalami said.
The former Head of State praised INEC for its consistent collaboration and credited the Commission’s leadership for maintaining professionalism under pressure.
“Professor Amupitan’s leadership of INEC has brought renewed vigour to electoral administration. His insistence on transparency and accountability has begun to rebuild public confidence,” the elder statesman added.
Sixteen political parties and their candidates signed the Peace Accord, pledging to respect the rules of the game and eschew violence. Among them were the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The signing ceremony saw moments of symbolic unity as rival candidates shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and publicly declared their commitment to peace.
The APGA candidate, representing the ruling party in the state, commended INEC’s transparency and called on supporters to maintain discipline.
The Labour Party candidate, speaking afterward, urged security agencies to act impartially, while the PDP flagbearer emphasized that true democracy thrives on tolerance and dialogue.
Each speaker echoed the call for non-violence and promised to abide by the spirit of the Peace Accord.
In attendance were prominent traditional rulers, including the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and the Olu of Aguleri, both of whom urged political actors to remember that leadership is a service, not a conquest.
“Our ancestors taught us that peace precedes prosperity. Anambra must not be an exception,” Igwe Achebe said.
Religious leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities also played key roles. The Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, reminded the audience that violence desecrates the soul of democracy.
“No office, no ambition, and no ideology should be pursued at the expense of peace. Let us lead by conscience,” he admonished.
While addressing immediate preparations for the election, Professor Amupitan also took a broader view of Nigeria’s democratic journey. He emphasized that the Anambra governorship election is not an isolated event but a vital rehearsal for the 2027 general elections.
“What we do here in Anambra will send a message to the entire country — that our democracy can evolve, our systems can work, and our elections can be both peaceful and credible,” he said.
He reaffirmed INEC’s long-term strategy to institutionalize transparency through digital reforms, voter education, and collaboration with civil society organizations.
“We are building not just elections, but trust — the cornerstone of every enduring democracy,” he concluded.
As the countdown to November 8 continues, ordinary citizens across Anambra are expressing cautious optimism. Many are hopeful that the commitment displayed at the Peace Accord will translate into credible action on Election Day.
A trader in Onitsha, Chinyere Nwosu, told reporters:
“We have suffered enough from violence during elections. This time, we just want peace and fairness. Let whoever the people choose win.”
Another resident, Mr. Ikenna Okafor, said he hoped INEC’s logistics and security measures would prevent the usual delays and intimidation at polling stations.
Civil society organizations, including YIAGA Africa and CLEEN Foundation, have also pledged to deploy thousands of election observers across the state to monitor compliance and report real-time incidents.
The upcoming Anambra election is more than a state contest; it is a litmus test for Nigeria’s democratic credibility. The stakes are high, but so is the collective will to get it right.
The signing of the Peace Accord marks a hopeful beginning — a reaffirmation that the power of peace can prevail over the temptation of violence.
For INEC, the challenge is not just to conduct a technically successful election but to deliver one that renews faith in the ballot. For political leaders, the challenge is to demonstrate that maturity, not manipulation, defines their pursuit of power. And for citizens, the challenge is to vote, not fight.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Professor Amupitan offered a resounding appeal that captured the spirit of the day:
“Let us work together to ensure that the upcoming election is remembered not for division or discord, but for unity and progress. Let Anambra show the nation that democracy can thrive through peace.”
The crowd erupted in applause — a fitting end to a day steeped in symbolism and hope.
Whether this hope will stand the test of Election Day remains to be seen. But for now, the message from Awka is clear: Anambra State is ready to prove that peace and credibility are not mutually exclusive — they are, indeed, the foundation of democracy itself.