Peace Accord: National Peace Committee secures Anambra Governorship Candidates' commitment to peaceful election

Uchenna Ewulu 

Awka

16 political parties participating in next Saturday’s governorship Election in Anambra State and their candidates on Monday, signed a Peace Accord to promote peace and shun violence before, during and after the election.

The agreement, signed at the International Convention Centre in Awka, was championed by the National Peace Committee, NPC, domiciled at the Kukah Centre, Abuja.

The signing of the accord followed a series of engagements between the Kukah Centre and ongoing peace initiatives of other stakeholders, and it is aimed at ensuring a peaceful transition and a violent free post-election period in the state.

Present to witness the event and to show solidarity with the people of Anambra State were members of the National Peace Committee, representatives of the INEC, the Civil Society, and the Nigeria Police Force.

The Chairman of the Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was represented by General Martin Luther Agwai, told the candidates that the Peace Accord represents their commitments, discipline and a call for responsibility on their part, to ensure the success of the polls.

He also noted that the accord is to encourage political parties to avoid statements that will incite violence before and after the results of the gubernatorial elections are announced.

“The signing of the Accord is intended to commit the 16 contesting political parties and their gubernatorial candidates participating in the elections to accept the outcome of the vote as long as it is adjudged to be free, fair, and credible, and to seek legitimate and peaceful means of addressing any concern that may arise thereafter,” he said.

The convener of the NPC and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Mathew Kukah, said the signing of the accord complements ongoing peace initiatives of other stakeholders, and is aimed at ensuring a peaceful transition and a violent free post-election period in the state.

He encouraged the political actors to be mindful of the leadership role their candidacies place on them, to coordinate their campaigns and their supporter in a manner that will promote peace and tranquility during the election.

“To the Anambra electorate, I want to encourage you to show the light which the state is known for and shun violence. We hope that by your orderly conduct before, during and after the election, Anambra state will truly elevate itself as the true ‘Light of the Nation’, he posited.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan expressed the hope that with the support of stakeholders, the commission is poised to ensure a peaceful and credible off-cycle election on Saturday.

“This is my first election as INEC Chairman and it is my commitment to make it a model in terms of transparency and credibility. I am giving a firm assurance that the upcoming Anambra State off-cycle governorship election will be peaceful and credible, considering the extensive preparations and our collective commitment to non-violence,” he said.

Professor Amupitan praised the NPC for its ‘unwavering commitment to fostering peaceful elections in Nigeria,’ noting that the devolution of the Peace Accord to off-cycle governorship elections has been a critical factor in reducing electoral tensions and violence.

"After witnessing the success of the Peace Accord at the national level, the NPC graciously agreed, five years ago, to our request to devolve its signing. This became necessary given the tensions and violence that have accompanied some past elections," the INEC Chairman stated.

On his part, the State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Chief Uche Ugwoji emphasized the need for all stakeholders to be alive to their responsibilities towards a smooth exercise, urging the INEC, particularly, to address the concerns of the electorate in previous elections.

Responding on behalf of the candidates, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo said Anambra State is ready for the elections, commending the NPC for initiating the Peace Accord, which he said, will ensure that all the players adhere to best standards.

He called on co-contestants to internalize the messages of the peace agreement as they head to the poll, adding that they bear eloquent commitment, which, when adhered to, will make the exercise seamless.

“I want to believe that what is propelling all these candidates to come to this contest is their love for Anambra. Yes, we may banter during the campaigns, but I know that once the election is over, we will all call together on the table of brotherhood to chart a way forward.

“It is on that note that I encourage my co-contestants to live out the true meaning of this agreement that we have signed today,” the governor appealed.