About sixteen political parties and their governorship candidates, including the incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo, have signed the Peace Accord ahead of the November 8, 2025 Anambra State governorship election. The signing ceremony, which took place in Awka, was facilitated by the National Peace Committee (NPC) to ensure a free, fair, and violence-free election.
The Peace Accord is part of ongoing efforts to promote peaceful campaigns, encourage respect for human life, and prevent electoral violence in the state. Speaking at the event, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State and NPC Chairman, represented by General Martin Luther Agwai, reminded candidates that the signing signifies their commitment to discipline, responsibility, and the democratic process.
“Democracy can only thrive where human lives are held sacred,” General Abubakar said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, also addressed the gathering. He stated that the Anambra governorship election was his first major assignment since assuming office and pledged that INEC was committed to delivering credible polls.
Professor Amupitan urged candidates and their supporters to play by the rules, respect the principles of the Peace Accord, and avoid vote-buying, warning that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.
INEC has finalized its deployment arrangements, with 24,000 personnel set to cover 5,718 polling units, 326 wards, and 21 local government areas. The final voter register lists 2,802,790 voters, and 16 political parties are cleared to contest the election.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman in Anambra State, Uchenna Ugwuorji, called on political parties and candidates to remain lawful before, during, and after the election. He urged security agencies to be professional and avoid using their powers to intimidate candidates or supporters. Ugwuorji also stressed that candidates should seek legal redress in court if they are dissatisfied with the election results.
Most Reverend Hassan Mathew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Archdiocese and Convener of the NPC, appealed to political parties and their supporters to honour the agreement, noting that a credible and violence-free election could only be achieved if the accord was respected.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo expressed gratitude to the National Peace Committee for the initiative. He urged all candidates to internalize the Peace Accord as a sacred oath and called on INEC to ensure that the will of the people prevails on election day.
The Peace Accord initiative comes amid concerns about political tensions and past incidents of electoral violence in the state. Observers say such agreements help reduce risks of conflict, promote peaceful participation, and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
With the Peace Accord in place, Anambra voters are now looking forward to exercising their civic duty in a safe and orderly environment on November 8. INEC and security agencies have assured the public that all necessary measures have been taken to guarantee a smooth election across the state.
