Signing Peace Accord Without Commitment Not Enough, INEC Chairman Tells Ondo Governorship Candidates

By Nathaniel Gana

9th November 2024

Appending signatures to the Peace Accord alone without full commitment to its implementation in both spirit and letter will not guarantee a peaceful election, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said.

Delivering a goodwill message at the Signing of the Peace Accord, organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) on Friday 8th November in Akure ahead of the Ondo State Governorship election, Prof. Yakubu observed that what the candidates were willing to sign “is not an automated, self-activating document,” insisting it would be meaningless if the signees were not committed to its full implementation.

Prof. Yakubu said: “I will not be tired of appealing to political parties and candidates to note that your signatures on the Peace Accord document alone will not guarantee a peaceful election. The Peace Accord is not an automated, self-activating document. Your commitment to its implementation is critical. Therefore, as you sign the Peace Accord, you should commit yourselves to its implementation and pass the message to your supporters at all levels for compliance. As I said repeatedly, this is the best way to honour the effort and sacrifice of the Chairman and members of the NPC to peaceful elections in Nigeria.”

The Peace Accord signing ceremony is the second of its kind to be organised by the NPC in Ondo State after its debut just before the last Governorship election in 2020. Encouraged by its success at the national level, INEC had requested for the devolvement of the concept beyond the Presidential election to include off-cycle Governorship elections. The NPC accepted.

The first Peace Accord outside Abuja was signed in Edo State ahead of the Governorship election held in September 2020. Since then, similar Peace Accords were signed in seven more States, namely Ondo in 2020, Anambra in 2021, Ekiti and Osun in 2022, followed by Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi in 2023.

Giving further perspective, Prof Yakubu said: “For Ondo State, this is the second Peace Accord to be signed by political parties and candidates. Some of you may recall that the first Peace Accord was signed here in Akure at this venue on 6th October 2020. I am glad to note that some of the signatories to the last Peace Accord are also here today as candidates for the Governorship election holding next week. I am also glad to note that so far, there has been no major election-related indent in Ondo State known to INEC. I am confident that with the signing of the Peace Accord today (8th November), the proactive measures taken by the security agencies, the roles played by our respected traditional rulers, the community and religious leaders, civil society organisations, the mass media and all other stakeholders, the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election will, by the grace of God, be peaceful.”

Prof. Yakubu explained that the Commission had taken comprehensive measures to address the perennial challenge of election logistics. “Over the last four days,” he said, “I have engaged with our own officials, security agencies and transport service providers here in Ondo State to assess our readiness and perfect our arrangements for the movement of over 17,000 ad hoc and regular officials as well as large quantities of materials to 4,154 voting and collation locations (3,933 polling units, 203 Ward and 18 LGA collation centres). In the case of Ondo State, this task is to be accomplished by boat in the two riverine Local Government Areas of Ese Odo and Ilaje, and by a combination of trucks, four wheel vehicles and motorcycles in respect of the mainland areas of the State. You should therefore expect to see a remarkable improvement in Election Day logistics. Voters in Ondo State should also expect to see similar improvement in result management.”

Earlier in his speech, the NPC Chairman and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), set the tone of optimism by urging the stakeholders in the electoral process to support a peaceful and credible election, while highlighting the importance of unity. According to him, all political parties and their candidates must commit wholeheartedly to non-violence and fair competition. “Let us remember,” he stated, “that a true leader fosters peace and democracy, embracing outcomes judged to be free, fair, and credible.”

He said that the Peace Accord aims at fostering the spirit of sportsmanship among candidates, encouraging them to avoid inflammatory language while promoting harmony within the state. General Abubakar commended INEC for its preparations, charging the electoral body to uphold its mandate, and ensure that all eligible voters have a safe environment to cast their vote. 

He also commended the Nigeria Police Force and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) for their role in maintaining a peaceful climate in Ondo State. As the election date draws near, he called on security forces to continue their vigilant efforts to prevent any disturbances.

The NPC Chairman also encouraged eligible voters in Ondo State to come out en masse on Election Day and vote for the candidates of their choice, just as he implored them to refrain from selling their votes. He reminded voters that democracy thrives only when citizens make independent, uninfluenced choices. 

Gen. Abdulsalami cautioned against inflammatory statements after the announcement of results, stressing that only INEC has the constitutional authority to release election outcomes. He expressing the hope that Ondo’s election would set a standard for future off-cycle elections in Nigeria, saying, “may this election reaffirm our collective commitment to peace and the democratic process.”

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, announced that 43,157 security personnel would be deployed across the state. The deployment, he noted, is intended to safeguard all the State’s 3,933 polling units, 203 wards, and 18 local government areas, as well as secure the environment for voters, INEC officials, and observers. Of the total personnel, 34,657 officers will come directly from the Police, with at least four officers deployed to every polling unit to enforce order and respond effectievly to any disturbances.

Represented by DIG Sylvester Abiodun, he said an additional 8,500 officers from other federal agencies, including members from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Federal Road Safety Corps will be integrated to bolster the security arrangement.

The IGP emphasized that the collaborative deployment underscored a united commitment to maintaining peace and curbing any attempt to disrupt the electoral process. The personnel, he said, will be stationed not only at polling centers but also at strategic points across the state, supporting checkpoints, and mobile patrols that would cover flashpoints to prevent violence and enforce movement restrictions on Election Day.

According to Mr. Egbetokun, the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, conducted a thorough threat assessment and has developed a detailed operational strategy. He  assured Ondo citizens that their votes and rights would be protected. He also assured that security agencies remain committed to a peaceful election, would maintain neutrality, and provide a level playing field for all candidates.