Thirteen political parties and their candidates have signed a peace accord in Ekiti State, pledging to ensure a free, fair, and violence-free governorship election on June 20.
The accord, facilitated by the National Peace Committee (NPC) with support from the European Union under its Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme, was signed on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti.
The signatories include the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Young Progressives Party (YPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), African Action Congress (AAC), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
‘No Ambition Worth a Life’
Chairman of the NPC, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the accord reflected a shared commitment among stakeholders to issue-based campaigns, political tolerance, respect for the rule of law, and the rejection of violence, hate speech, and electoral malpractice.
Represented by former Chief of Defence Staff Martin Agwai, Mr Abubakar urged political actors and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during, and after the election.
“No political ambition is worth the loss of lives or the destruction of peace in our communities. Elections will come and go, but the unity and stability of the state must endure,” he said.
INEC: A Moral Obligation
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, described the accord as a moral obligation to uphold non-violence and mutual respect.
“By signing this accord, we reaffirm our collective commitment to peaceful conduct and credible democratic processes. Let us ensure this election is remembered for unity and shared purpose, not division,” he said.
Police Assure Adequate Security
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, assured voters of adequate security, noting that personnel had been fully briefed on rules of engagement and would act professionally while respecting citizens’ rights.
He added that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, had implemented measures to guarantee a peaceful election.
Stakeholders Pledge Compliance
Earlier, NPC Project Manager Asabe Ndahi highlighted ongoing efforts, including stakeholder engagements and capacity-building initiatives, to support a credible and violence-free electoral process.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Ekiti State, Adeniyi Philip, pledged that political parties would comply fully with the provisions of the accord.
