Political parties participating in next month’s governorship election in Ekiti State and their candidates on Thursday signed an accord to be committed to peace in the election and its aftermath.
The event, organised by National Peace Committee and implemented by the Kukah Centre, attracted political actors, electoral institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, development partners and the media.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who was among party candidates who signed the Peace Accord, pledged Ekiti people’s commitment pledged the commitment to peace before, during and after the election.
Thirteen political parties are participating in the election slated for June 20 across the 16 local government areas of the state.
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, leading top officials of the electoral body and the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, alongside police top hierarchy and sister security agencies, were on ground for the exercise.
The Chairman, NPC, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd), who said the Peace Accord targeted reinforcing accountability and democratic responsibility ahead of the gubernatorial election, described it as “a collective commitment to peaceful, credible, free, and fair elections”.
Abubakar, represented by a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Martin Agwai, said signing the peace accord represented the stakeholders’ resolve “to promote issue-based campaigns, political tolerance, respect for the rule of law, and the rejection of violence, hate speech, and all forms of electoral misconduct.”
The NPC chairman said that “peace is a shared responsibility, and democracy can only thrive in a peaceful atmosphere. So we, as members of the NPC want all stakeholders to make sure that democracy becomes strong and firm so that we will have peace. Where there is peace, there will be development and progress.”
The former head of state, who said Ekiti was widely respected for its political awareness and democratic culture, said, “It is therefore important that all political actors and supporters conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly throughout the election to enable all of us show that Ekiti state is a very politically aware state.
“As we approach the election, we must remember that no political ambition is worth the loss of life or destruction of peace in our communities. Election will come and go, but the peace and unity of the state must remain endured.
“The NPC commends all stakeholders working to ensure peaceful elections in the state and urges political parties, candidates, and their supporters to abide not only by the letter but also by the spirit of the peace accord they are about to sign,” he said.
Amupitan, who hailed the parties and candidates, urged them to ensure that they practised the contents of the Peace Accord which they signed ahead of the election.
He commended the NPC for its enduring custodianship of democratic stability in Nigeria, stressing that their tireless efforts in gathering political actors around a unified architecture of non-violence continue to shield democracy from structural discord.
The INEC boss said that time and experience had proven that “where political leaders honour their commitments, the peace on paper translates directly to safety on the streets. Today, as 13 political parties prepare to enter the field in Ekiti, we are reminded that this document is not a mere bureaucratic formality; it is a moral treaty signed before the citizens of this state and the global community.
“For the Commission, our commitment to the letters of this Accord is reflected in our advanced level of operational readiness. Our deployment will cover 16 Local Government Areas, 177 Registration Areas, and 2,445 Polling Units.”
Amupitan said that INEC on Wednesday presented to the parties, the Certified True Copy of the harmonised Voters Register which stipulated that 1,059,360 registered voters were eligible to vote during the election
He said that INEC had taken deliberate steps to address operational challenge to ensure a smooth, credible election across the state, adding, “INEC does not look for a particular outcome; we are interested only in a lawful process.
He added, “We have refined our logistics, audited our technological frameworks and fortified result management paths to eliminate systemic vulnerabilities. However, institutional readiness cannot stand alone without political decorum.
“It is not the signatures written today that preserve democracy; it is the character of the leaders who hold the pen. If campaigns are characterised by incitement or subversion, the process is compromised long before the first ballot is cast.
“I urge all candidates to cascade the spirit of this Peace Accord down to their grassroots party structures. Let your followers understand that leadership won at the expense of human life and public trust is a hollow victory.”
On his part, Disu said signing of the Peace Accord was a strong reminder that elections should be a contest of ideas and service, not conflict and division, adding that democracies thrived best in an atmosphere of peace, tolerance, mutual respect, and adherence to the rule of law.
Disu assured that the Nigerian Police Force, working in collaboration with other security agencies, under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Duty, had made adequate security arrangements to ensure a secure environment before, during, and after the election.
The IG, who said that comprehensive deployment plans had been conducted for all the local governments and over 2,400 polling units across Ekiti State, said, “Security personnel and operational assets will be strategically deployed to guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officers, election observers, and all citizens participating in the democratic process.
He assured that the police would “remain professional, impartial, and fully committed to the protection of democratic values throughout the electoral process. Our personnel have been adequately briefed on their responsibilities and rules of engagement, and will discharge their duties with civility, firmness, and respect for the rights of every citizen.
“While security agencies will continue to play their parts, peaceful elections also require the cooperation and sincerity of political actors, the candidates, supporters, and indeed every stakeholder.
“I therefore urge all parties to uphold the spirit and letter of this peace accord by conducting their activities peacefully and placing the interests of democracy and the people above other considerations.
“To the good people of Ekiti, I encourage you to come out peacefully on Election Day and freely exercise your constitutional right without fear of intimidation. The Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies remain fully prepared to provide the necessary security for a free, fair, and credible election,” the IGP said.
In his remark, Governor Oyebanji reaffirmed his strong commitment to ensuring peace before, during and after the June 20 Ekiti governorship election, noting that his party had just concluded its local government campaign tour across the state without any record of violence, a development he said reflected the commitment of APC and his government to peace and harmony.
Oyebanji said, “Our party just concluded a tour of local government in the state and it was violent-free. Ekiti State will be 30 years in October this year, this is the first time in the history of the state that an election will be few days away and we will have this kind of peace.
“So, I stand to make a commitment that after signing this accord and like the INEC Chairman said that it is not the singing that is important, but the character of those holding the pen and I believe strongly and I can attest to fellow contestants that we will do everything to ensure that we have peace.
“I stand to make a bold declaration on behalf of the government that I am leading and other contestants that the election will be peaceful because it is only in the atmosphere of peace that we can serve our people.”
