Political parties and candidates participating in the Anambra State governorship election have signed a peace accord ahead of the election slated for Saturday, November 8, 2025.
The signing, which took place on Monday at the International Convention Centre, Awka, was organised by the National Peace Committee, headed by former Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar.
The event was supervised by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Mathew Kukah.
Some of the parties and their candidates present at the signing of the peace accord include the All Progressives Grand Alliance, All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, African Democratic Congress, and Accord Party.
Others are Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, and New Nigeria Political Party, among others.
Speaking at the event, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ben Okolo, said adequate security officers have been deployed to secure all 21 LGs of the state.
He called on candidates and their followers to embrace peace before, during and after the election
In a bid to ensure a peaceful, credible, and violence-free governorship election in the state, he emphasised the importance of political tolerance and respect for democratic values.
He said, “Today, Monday, November 3, 2025, witnessed the signing of a peace accord among the flag bearers of political parties participating in the forthcoming election. 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. We reaffirm the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to provide adequate security for the election.
“The police would remain neutral and professional in the discharge of their duties. We commend the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, for his proactive security engagements and continuous advocacy for peaceful participation across the state.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council, Anambra State Chapter, Chief Ugwoji, appealed to the electorate to maintain an atmosphere of serenity, tranquillity and non-violence and shun all forms of inducement, during the election.
Ugwoji urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure fairness, smoothness and credibility of the election, by plugging every loopholes, including but not limited to the following – making sure that the polling cubicles are spacious enough to enable the voter go in, thumbprint and insert the ballot paper into the ballot box provided therein, thereby, curtailing the chances of inducement and vote buying.
Also speaking, Kukah urged candidates to fully commit themselves and their parties to the letter and spirit of the accord.
He also commended members of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security for maintaining peace and security in the state.
He congratulated the Anambra State government for its generosity in organising the event.
“Shun violence and intimidation, and remember that as politicians, you must demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, as that is a key trait of good leadership.
“We enjoin the people of Anambra State to lead according to the light for which their state is known.
“This peace accord is a hand-holding exercise aimed at making democracy more functional for the people. It will also bring in a certain improvement in the electoral process,” he said.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, urged the candidates and their parties to commit to a peaceful election.
He said, “Your commitment to its implementation is critical. Therefore, as you sign the peace accord, you should commit to its implementation and ensure your supporters at all levels comply.”
The INEC chair added that the commission had taken measures to address election day challenges, especially the perennial challenge of logistics.
Speaking on behalf of the candidates, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is the APGA governorship candidate, promised to abide by the laws and regulations guiding the election process.
Soludo hoped that the peaceful atmosphere could be sustained during and after the elections, urging other parties to follow suit.
He said, “We welcome the INEC chair to Anambra State. He is well-deserved of the appointment. My fellow candidates are all my friends. By Saturday, the ‘roforofo’ will end, and by Sunday, we will all know our stand after INEC has declared the results.
“I sincerely thank Bishop Kukah and the former head of state, Abdulsam Abubakar, for this initiative. Reading through the peace agreement, it is something we should take seriously. What we signed today, as we go home, let’s try to domesticate it.
“The processes that have been deployed in Anambra have gone to given us the confidence that a free, fair and credible election is assured. What we want to assure you on our own part is that we are ready, and I am sure my fellow candidates are ready.
“We want to ensure that the first election under Prof. Amupitan is better because INEC has been getting better in each election. We thank the IG for reassuring Ndi Anambra that the police are ready. We have 5,720 polling units. From what you have read to us, one is to secure the entire state, and the second is to secure the entire electoral process.
“And as a state, we are ready to ensure that the process. If each of us commits to implementing this agreement, for us our own commitment is nothing short of one man one vote, and we will do everything to assist the police and INEC to ensure a free, fair and credible electoral process.”
The Peace Accord signing marks a significant step toward fostering harmony and mutual trust among stakeholders as Anambra prepares for the November 8, 2025, governorship poll.
