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Damilola Aina, Abuja

Daily Courier – The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has called on all political parties and candidates to abide by the letter and spirit of the Peace Accord signed under the auspices of the National Peace Committee.

At the signing ceremony held at Amazing Grace Events Centre, Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday 15th June 2022, the electoral body chairman appealed to candidates to ensure their supporters maintain peace before, during and after the elections.

The chairman in his speech expressed his profound appreciation to the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of former Head of State, His Excellency General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar GCFR, for convening this meeting.

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He said, “We are forever grateful to the respected statesmen, traditional, religious and business leaders who are working in a voluntary and non-partisan way to promote peaceful elections in Nigeria.

The chairman also commended the National Peace Committee for its contribution to the peaceful conduct of governorship elections since the Edo State Governorship election held in September 2020, followed by the Ondo State Governorship election in October 2020 and the Anambra State Governorship election in November 2021.

He noted that, “The intervention of the Peace Committee no doubt contributed in no small way to the peaceful conduct of previous Governorship elections. We are confident that the Ekiti State Governorship election holding this Saturday will not be different. Working with civil society organisations, the media, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, and other stakeholders, INEC will continue to partner with the Peace Committee for peaceful elections in Nigeria.

Speaking on the expected conduct of the election, the chairman urged parties and candidates in Ekiti State to realise that without peace, our deployment plans; new innovations in voter accreditation and result management; the safety of voters, election duty staff, observers and the journalists; security of materials; and, ultimately, the credibility of elections will be undermined and it is important for everyone to maintain the peace.