Political parties and candidates in Ondo State signed a Peace Accord on Friday, pledging to maintain a peaceful environment for the upcoming governorship election on November 16.
The accord was organized by the National Peace Committee and signed at the International Culture and Events Centre in Akure.
Chairman of the NPC, Retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, urged all parties and candidates to avoid violence and intimidation, emphasizing the importance of fair conduct in the election. “I want to call on all stakeholders to work hard to ensure peace reigns during this election,” he said.
Abubakar also stressed that politicians must display good sportsmanship, adding, “It is the sincere hope of the National Peace Committee that the Ondo State election will be free, fair, credible, and peaceful.”
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, praised the NPC’s work in promoting peaceful elections and asked for the support of religious and traditional leaders, security agencies, and others. “Signing the peace accord alone will not guarantee a peaceful election,” he noted. “You must commit to implementing it and ensure your supporters also honor the effort.”
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, DIG Abiodun Alabi announced that 36,637 police personnel would be deployed across all polling units, wards, and local government areas in the state to safeguard voters and officials. “We are going to deploy four personnel to each polling unit to protect INEC materials, officials, and the electorate,” he explained.
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Ondo State, OlaOluwa Adesanya, thanked the NPC for organizing the peace accord and pledged that all political parties would work toward a peaceful election. Adesanya also urged the media, INEC, and security agencies to perform their roles responsibly.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, also the APC candidate, spoke on behalf of the candidates and highlighted the calm environment in Ondo since campaigns began.
He promised to follow election rules and ensure a peaceful atmosphere before, during, and after the election.
