Ekiti Poll: ‘Power Won Through Bloodshed Is Empty’, INEC Chair Warns Parties

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Thirteen political parties and their governorship candidates in Ekiti State on Wednesday signed a Peace Accord ahead of the June 20 governorship election, pledging to conduct issue-based campaigns and shun violence before, during and after the poll.

The accord was signed in Ado-Ekiti under the supervision of the National Peace Committee (NPC), chaired by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), who was represented by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd).

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, warned political actors against sacrificing lives and public trust in the pursuit of political power.

He stressed the need for party leaders and candidates to extend the spirit of the peace accord to their supporters at the grassroots level in order to guarantee a peaceful electoral process across the state.

Prof. Amupitan said, “Leadership won at the expense of human life and public trust is a hollow victory.”

The INEC chairman disclosed that the commission had substantially concluded preparations for the election, with seven out of nine scheduled activities already completed.

According to him, only the end of public campaigns on June 18 and the conduct of the election on June 20 were left on the timetable.

He revealed that the commission would deploy personnel and materials across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 registration areas and 2,445 polling units where over one million registered voters are expected to vote.

Prof. Amupitan said, “INEC does not look for a particular outcome; we are interested only in a lawful process.”

He added that the commission had strengthened its logistics framework, reviewed its technology systems and improved result management processes to prevent avoidable lapses during the election.

The INEC chairman also disclosed that 52,446 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were being mobilised as ad hoc personnel for the Ekiti governorship election, the forthcoming Osun governorship poll and several bye-elections in parts of the country.

He further stated 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 to monitor the exercise.

Representing Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Agwai urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to place peace and stability above political ambition.

He warned that electoral contests should not become a trigger for violence or communal tension in the state.

Gen. Agwai said, “Election will come and go, but the peace and unity of the state must remain.”

Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Rilwan Disu, assured residents and stakeholders of adequate security during the election.

He said the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), had concluded security arrangements covering all local government areas and polling units in the state.

The police chief assured voters that security agencies would remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process.

“The Nigerian Police will remain professional, impartial, and fully committed to the protection of democratic values throughout the electoral process,” the IGP said.

He also encouraged eligible voters to come out freely on election day without fear of intimidation or harassment.

The event attracted the Ekiti State governor, chairmen and candidates of the 13 political parties, traditional rulers, civil society groups, religious leaders, diplomats and members of the media.