Anambra 2025: Guber candidates to sign peace accord November 3

---

---

By Madu Obi

The 16 candidates contesting the November 8 governorship election in Anambra are to sign a peace accord on November 3 at the International Convention Center, Awka.

At a pre- election engagement with Anambra stakeholders organized by the Kukah Centre, which is the secretariat of the National Peace Committee, the executive director of the Kukah Centre, Rev Fr Atta Barkindo, said the signing ceremony will be witnessed by the chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubarkar (rtd), the Inspector General of Police and the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

According to Barkindo, once the document is signed, it gives the NPC the authority to mediate on the issues concerning the Anambra election.

He said that all the candidates and their party chairmen were invited to the very important event aimed at making it possible for them to commit themselves to peace.

"When the people see them sign the peace accord, the people will have the opportunity to hold them accountable. We already have a situation room to record and document all violations and hand them over to the law enforcement agencies", he added.

Bakindo said further: "We are expecting the election to be free, fair and credible.. and with the brand new INEC chairman, our expectation is that there will be a transparent election as this will be his first outing.

We expect the candidates and their followers to ensure a peaceful atmosphere. There are agencies empowered to handle violations and the candidates should not encourage their followers to take laws into their hands.

Nobody's blood is worth spinning in any election and so we expect the candidates who are leaders of their parties to comply with the law and work with security agencies, as well as those in charge of conducting , counting and collation of the results.

If they observe irregularities, they should report to the relevant agencies empowered to handle such issues. The voters should also conduct themselves properly and people should avoid posting of fake results and avoid misinformation and disinformation and other issues that have the potential to provoke and incite people to violence.

Anambra is one of the most enterprising and progressive states and we appeal with them to give peace a chance during this election."

The Programme Manager at the Kukah Centre, Barrister Asabe Ndahi, highlighted the key areas of the document.

The 11- point document include acceptance of the election results and prevention of violence by the candidates and chairpersons of their political parties, reaffirmation of commitment to take proactive steps to ensure peace before, during and after the election, as well as sustaining and promoting the unity of the citizens of the state.

She said idea of the stakeholders engagement was to ensure peaceful electoral atmosphere, reduce of voter aparthy, collaborate with stakeholders, as well as build trust and ensure accountability.

She added that it will also discourage misinformation, promote social cohesion, encourage issue- based campaigns, inspire citizen empowerment and protect leadership.

They are also expected to avoid any conduct or behaviour that could endanger the political stability and national security of Nigeria.