The leadership of political parties and their candidates for the Edo State governorship election will sign the Peace Accord on September 12.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Thursday in his opening remarks at a meeting he held with the leadership of the political parties on Thursday in Abuja.
The INEC Chairman also revealed that a stakeholders meeting between his commission, the political parties, and the security agencies would precede the signing of the peace accord.
He said: “After consultation with the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar GCFR, the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State Governorship election will take place on Thursday, September 12, 2024, in Benin City.
“Supported by eminent members of the Peace Committee, the occasion will be presided over by the Chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
“You may notice that unlike the previous Peace Accord signed a few days before the election, it was decided to do so early this time around to enable the Peace Committee to monitor compliance with the code voluntarily signed by parties, candidates, and other critical players in the electoral process, such as INEC and the security agencies, during the remaining days before the election.
“This will add further weight to the peace accord beyond mere ceremony, as demanded by many observers and even some of the political actors themselves.
“The signing of the peace accord will be preceded by the INEC Stakeholders meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in Benin City.
“As usual, the meeting will be addressed by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police. It is an open forum for political parties, candidates, observers and the media to interact with the Commission and the security agencies ahead of the election.
“I therefore urge you as leaders of political parties to note the dates for the INEC Stakeholders meeting and the signing of the Peace Accord and mobilise your State Chairmen and candidates to participate.”
The Commission chairman, who complained loudly that his Commission was ignorant of the campaign itineraries of the candidates, requested that his Commission be kept abreast of the movement of the candidates for proper coordination of their campaign activities.
“The Commission is aware that you are in the middle of an electioneering campaign in Edo State. I urge you to continue to maintain decorum and civility in your campaigns and fully comply with the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of rallies and processions.
“So far, no political party has submitted to the Commission the dates and locations of your major campaign rallies and processions, but some of you are quick to complain of incidents when they occur. Doing so will enable better coordination of your campaign activities.”
In his presentation, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, appealed to the electoral body to sustain its neutrality and conduct a credible, transparent exercise.
He said, “As Nigerians and the international community expect improved elections, we urge INEC to remain neutral as an umpire and ensure its election materials are adequate and ready for the tasks ahead, particularly the BVAS and IReV portals.
“Certainly, the integrity of INEC is at stake. The commission should justify the confidence citizens reposed in it to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections. The success of these elections will rebuild trust in the electoral process and boost voter turnout.”
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