By Ikeugonna Eleke
The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, has affirmed that the Anambra Governorship Election scheduled for November 8 will be credible. He said the election will be his first test in office, and that he will deliver.
Amupitan stated this on Monday during a peace accord signing ceremony for all the 16 political parties in the contest, their Candidates and state Chairmen. The event was organized by the National Peace Committee (NPC), under the Kukah Centre, and aimed at ensuring that all participants in last Saturday’s election abided by peaceful conduct.
The INEC Chairman who was at the ceremony, in his remarks expressed happiness at the peace accord signing initiative.
He said: ‘As INEC chairman, I’m proud to be part of this peace accord signing for Anambra 2025 off cycle election. I was appointed recently and this is going to be my first assignment and I’m committed to ensuring that this election is fair, credible and free. As much as we are committed to peace, we can only succeed if we have corresponding support from all the stakeholders.
‘After witnessing the national peace accord signing five years ago, we decided to devolve it to involve not just the Presidential Election but states. This was because of the violence that had followed some elections in the past. We have had this several times and this is the second time it is happening here in Anambra. Parties have always honored the accord and we have always had peaceful election.
‘Today we gather just days to the election and as an election body I want to assure that INEC is ready to deliver global best practices. It is not the signatures on these papers that bring peace, it is the commitment of those involved. So as you append your signatures to this, ensure that the message is cascaded to all your supporters.
‘By signing the peace accord, you are not only agreeing to this but showing that democracy can only thrive where peace prevails. Let us work together to ensure that the coming election is remembered for peace. Anambra is a microcosm of Nigeria and this election will be significant to other elections that are coming up.’
He urged voters to expect significant improvement in election day logistics, saying the election would be an improvement in every area. He said a total of 2.8 million voters would decide the winner of the election, and that the commission ensured full participation by extending the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Sunday. He assured that his mandate was to deliver credible election and that any individual trying to subvert the will of the people would be met with stiff resistance.
The Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, who was represented at the signing ceremony by DIG Benjamin Okolo, assured that the police would ensure maximum security during the election. He warned separatist elements; Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their armed group, Eastern Security Network (ESN), saying any attempt to disrupt the election would be resisted.
He said: ‘This address is to show that police are committed and ready to present a free, fair, level playing ground to all. Ahead of the forthcoming election, we will ensure order. The Nigeria Police Force stand prepared to ensure that the exercise happens under a free fair and credible atmosphere.
‘We will be civil, yet firm, and any attempt to undermine public peace will be met with stiff resistance. We remain alert, and we warn the proscribed IPOB and ESN that the peace of Anambra State shall not be negotiated.’
