Ekiti guber: Credible election impossible under atmosphere of violence, disorder —INEC

• …As parties, candidates sign peace accord

By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has declared that no

credible election can be achieved in an atmosphere of disruption, violence and disorder.

Yakubu made the declaration yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during the signing of peace accord by political parties and their candidates ahead of the Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

The signing of the accord was facilitated by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee.

With the signing of the accord, the political parties and their candidates are now expected to maintain the peace before, during and after the Saturday’s governorship election.

The INEC Chairman advised, strongly, that it is important for everyone to maintain the peace.

The success of the Peace Accord, according to him, rests on three pedestals-the political actors, INEC and security agencies.

He re-assured, concretely, that the votes of the Ekiti people will count.

His words, “I urge parties and candidates in Ekiti State to realize 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.

“No credible election can be achieved in an atmosphere of disruption, violence and disorder.

“It is, therefore, important for everyone to maintain the peace.

“The success of the Peace Accord rests on three pedestals: the political actors, INEC and security agencies.

“Speaking for INEC, I wish to assure the Peace Committee of our commitment to transparent and credible elections. “Working for the last 12 months since June 2021 when we released the Timetable for the Ekiti State Governorship election, it is inconceivable that INEC will undermine itself, especially on Election Day and beyond.

“I want to assure you all that the votes of the Ekiti people will count.

“The truth is that the Peace Accord is not an automated, self-actualising process.

“Let me therefore call on all political parties and candidates to abide by the letter and spirit of the Accord by appealing to your supporters to maintain the peace before, during and after the elections.

“This will be your own way of showing commitment to the Peace Accord and appreciation for the work of the Peace Committee”, he said.

The INEC Chairman recalled that 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, political parties and candidates have signed the Peace Accord under the auspices of the National Peace Committee.

The intervention of the Peace Committee, he pointed out, has, 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”, he said optimistically.

He added, “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”.