IGP promises massive deployment in Ekiti as political parties sign peace accord

No fewer than thirteen political parties participating in the June 20 Ekiti State Governorship election have signed a peace accord as the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, assured residents of massive security deployment across the state to guarantee a peaceful, free and credible poll.

The peace accord ceremony, held in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital brought together political actors, security agencies, electoral officials, members of the diplomatic corps and election observers under the supervision of the National Peace Committee and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

At the event, the Governorship candidates and their State chairman of the political parties signed the document committing to the peaceful electoral process.

Addressing stakeholders at the event, Disu said the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, had concluded comprehensive security arrangements for the election.

The police chief disclosed that security personnel and operational assets would be strategically deployed across the 16 local government areas, 177 wards and the polling units in the state to ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, observers and other participants in the electoral process.

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He assured political parties and residents that the police would remain professional, impartial and committed to protecting democratic values throughout the election period.

According to him, officers deployed for the exercise had been adequately briefed on their responsibilities and rules of engagement and would carry out their duties with civility, firmness and respect for citizens’ rights.

The IGP urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to uphold the spirit of the peace accord by conducting their campaigns peacefully and placing the interest of democracy above personal ambitions.

He also called on Ekiti residents to come out peacefully on election day and exercise their constitutional rights without fear, assuring that security agencies were fully prepared to provide adequate protection before, during and after the poll.

The chairman of the NPC and former Nigerian leader, General Abdulsalami Abubakar explained that the peace accord was not just a ceremonial ceremony but a collective commitment by the political parties to embrace and shun violence ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

Represented by a member of the committee, General Martin Agwai (retd) appealed to the thirteen candidates and their supporters to respect the signing of the accord, saying, ” no political ambition is worth the loss of lives and property of the people.”

He explained that the committee would continue to collaborate with stakeholders in ensuring the peace of the state and the country, adding that democracy can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.

Earlier in his remarks, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, described the peace accord as a moral covenant aimed at preventing violence and deepening democratic stability in the state.

Amupitan revealed that the commission had already completed seven out of the nine scheduled activities for the election, adding that campaigns would end on June 18 ahead of the governorship poll on June 20.

He said 1,059,360 registered voters would participate in the election across 16 local government areas, 177 registration areas and 2,445 polling units, while 52,446 National Youth Service Corps members were being mobilised for election duties in Ekiti, Osun and other forthcoming off-cycle elections and by-elections nationwide.

The INEC chairman further disclosed that 54 media organisations and 470 journalists had applied for accreditation to cover the election, while 98 observer groups, including two international organisations, had also been accredited in line with the commission’s commitment to transparency.

Amupitan warned political parties against vote-buying, voter intimidation and electoral violence, stressing that anyone attempting to undermine the will of the electorate would face the full weight of the law.

He urged political leaders to ensure that the spirit of the peace accord was extended to their supporters at the grassroots, saying the Ekiti governorship election should serve as a model of democratic maturity ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking at the event, the governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji restated his commitment to peaceful conduct before, during and after the election, noting that there is no alternative to peace.

Oyebanji who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress said further that Ekiti cannot achieve the desired progress and reputation as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony urging the preservation of Ekiti ethos during and after the electoral process from all stakeholders in Ekiti project.

According to him, “Ekiti State is 29 years old, and by October 1, we’ll be 30 years old. As far as my memory can carry me, this will be the first time that we will have an election in less than a month, and the state is this peaceful. We have never had it like this before and that speaks to the new political culture that we are trying to bring to bear in Ekiti State.

“We just concluded a local government tour of 16 local government areas of the state and for the first time, it was violence-free.”

He called on his fellow candidates to embrace the peace accord, saying, “it is an atmosphere of peace that we can lead the state.”