The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured residents of Anambra State that the upcoming off-cycle governorship election will be peaceful, credible, and transparent, citing the Commission’s extensive preparations and stakeholders’ renewed commitment to non-violence.
In a statement released on Monday, INEC said Professor Amupitan gave the assurance during the signing of the Peace Accord organized by the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).
In his goodwill message, the INEC Chairman commended the NPC for its “unwavering dedication to promoting peaceful elections in Nigeria,” adding that extending the Peace Accord initiative to off-cycle elections has helped significantly reduce electoral tensions and violence nationwide.
“After witnessing the success of the Peace Accord at the national level, the NPC graciously agreed, five years ago, to our request to decentralize the signing… This became necessary given the tensions and violence that have characterized some past elections,” Professor Amupitan noted.
He, however, emphasized that the signing of the Peace Accord must go beyond symbolism, urging political actors to demonstrate sincerity in upholding its principles.
“It is not the signatures on this document that guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions,” he cautioned, calling on the 16 participating political parties and their candidates to ensure that the message of peace resonates with their supporters at all levels.
Providing updates on INEC’s preparedness, Professor Amupitan disclosed that the Commission has completed comprehensive deployment plans for 24,000 personnel and election materials across 5,718 polling units and hundreds of collation centres in Anambra.
“Voters should therefore expect a significant improvement in Election Day logistics,” he affirmed.
He revealed that a final register of 2,802,790 eligible voters has been approved, while the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) has been extended until Sunday, November 2, to enable maximum voter participation.
Reiterating INEC’s zero-tolerance stance on electoral malpractice, Amupitan warned that the Commission would firmly confront vote-buying and other infractions with the full force of the law.
On security, he confirmed that the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has developed a robust framework to ensure a safe voting environment. The Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 personnel, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will contribute 10,250 officers to secure the electoral process.
With the Peace Accord now signed, the proactive deployment of security agencies, and the involvement of traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society groups, the INEC Chairman expressed strong confidence that the November 8, 2025, governorship election will be peaceful and successful.
Concluding on an optimistic note, he urged all stakeholders to embrace unity and uphold democratic ideals:
“Let us work together to ensure that the upcoming election is remembered not for division or discord, but for its spirit of unity and shared purpose. Let Anambra State stand as a beacon of hope, resilience, and democratic values.”
