Ahead of the November 8, 2025 Anambra State governorship election, political parties and their candidates have signed a peace accord, pledging to maintain non-violence and respect the outcome of the polls.
The signing, organised by the Kukah Centre under the National Peace Committee, chaired by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) and Bishop Matthew Kukah, took place at the International Convention Centre, Awka.
It brought together INEC officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, and candidates from major parties including APGA, APC, PDP, Labour Party, ADC, Accord Party, and others.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to conduct a credible and transparent election.
He stated that logistics had been fully addressed, with all election materials expected to reach polling units by 7 am, and voting scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.
“We have engaged security and transport agencies to ensure smooth deployment of officials and materials across the 21 local government areas. Voters should expect significant improvements in logistics and result management,” Amupitan said.
INEC has approved a final register of 2,802,790 voters, deploying 24,000 personnel across 5,718 polling units, 326 ward collation centres, and 21 LGA collation centres.
Results will be collated transparently in the presence of party agents and aligned with BVAS records.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, represented by DIG Ben Okoro, assured security across all LGAs, warning that any attempts to disrupt the election, by political actors or groups like IPOB or ESN, would be met with decisive law enforcement action.
A total of 45,000 police personnel and 10,250 NSCDC officers will be deployed.
Chief Ugwoji, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, urged transparency and voter discipline, emphasizing the need to prevent inducement or violence.
Bishop Matthew Kukah called on candidates to demonstrate sportsmanship and fully implement the accord.
On behalf of candidates, Governor and APGA candidate Prof. Chukwuma Soludo pledged adherence, stressing that peaceful conduct was essential for a credible election. Other candidates echoed the commitment, urging supporters to act responsibly.
Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, encouraged voters to exercise their civic rights freely, shun vote buying, and vote according to conscience, while also calling on the Federal Government to continue addressing poverty and insecurity.
Anambra REC, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, provided an operational update, confirming that all non-sensitive materials had been deployed, BVAS devices tested, and generators provided to ensure uninterrupted power during collation.
“Every step has been taken to guarantee a smooth, credible, and technology-driven election,” Agwu said.
