By Chuks Moses in Awka.
All the candidates and political parties participating in the governorship election in Anambra State, scheduled for Saturday, 8 November 2025, have signed a peace accord, committing to a peaceful, orderly campaign and election process.
The signing took place at the International Conference Centre, Awka in the state capital, under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC). It was attended by political party leaders, candidates, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agency representatives.
Representing Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja, Ben Okolo, reiterated the importance of tolerance, respect for democratic values and non-violence before, during, and after the poll. He emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies are fully prepared to ensure a credible, violence-free election, and pledged the police will remain neutral and professional.
The IGP also commended the state police leadership, including the Command’s Commissioner of Police, for proactive engagement and peace-advocacy across the state. The participating parties and candidates pledged their honour to uphold non-violence, to conduct their campaigns responsibly and to respect the electoral process and outcomes.
This signing marks a significant step towards building mutual trust, harmony and collective ownership of the electoral process in Anambra State as stakeholders gear up for the 8 November governorship poll.
Ahead of the election, the IGP announced that 45,000 officers would be deployed to Anambra State to safeguard the poll, drawing from police commands across the country.
The NPC, which organised the peace accord signing, has in past elections played a key role in mobilising candidates, parties, INEC and security agencies to commit to peaceful contestation.
While some previous elections in other states saw parties decline to sign the peace accord citing concerns of bias or unfairness, this time in Anambra all major parties have reportedly signed. In Edo State the Peoples Democratic Party declined to sign in 2024 citing issues with the police.
