By TINA TIMOTHY

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged parties and their candidates to maintain peace before, during and after the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday, June 18, 2022 because in the absence of peace, ‘the credibility of elections will be undermined.’

The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the plea during his brief remarks at the signing of the peace accord by political parties and candidates for the Ekiti State governorship election under the auspices of the National Peace Committee at Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

Yakubu said: “On behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I would like to express our profound appreciation to the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, His Excellency General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar GCFR, for convening this meeting. We are forever grateful to the respected statesmen, traditional, religious and business leaders who are working in a voluntary and non-partisan way to promote peaceful elections in Nigeria.

“Today, we are honoured by the presence of the Convener of the NPC, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. By its consistent engagement, the NPC has demonstrated that moral suasion is as important as statutory authority in promoting peace in our country.

“Since the Edo State Governorship election held in September 2020, followed by the Ondo State Governorship election in October 2020 and the Anambra State Governorship election in November 2021, political parties and candidates have signed the Peace Accord under the auspices of the National Peace Committee.

“The intervention of the Peace Committee no doubt contributed in no small way to the peaceful conduct of previous Governorship elections. We are confident that the Ekiti State Governorship election holding this Saturday will not be different. Working with civil society organisations, the media, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, and other stakeholders, INEC will continue to partner with the Peace Committee for peaceful elections in Nigeria.

“I urge parties and candidates in Ekiti State to realise that without peace, our deployment plans; new innovations in voter accreditation and result management; the safety of voters, election duty staff, observers and the journalists; security of materials; and, ultimately, the credibility of elections will be undermined. No credible election can be achieved in an atmosphere of disruption, violence and disorder. It is, therefore, important for everyone to maintain the peace.

“The success of the Peace Accord rests on three pedestals: the political actors, INEC and security agencies. Speaking for INEC, I wish to assure the Peace Committee of our commitment to transparent and credible elections. Working for the last 12 months since June 2021 when we released the Timetable for the Ekiti State Governorship election, it is inconceivable that INEC will undermine itself, especially on Election Day and beyond. I want to assure you all that the votes of the Ekiti people will count.

“The truth is that the Peace Accord is not an automated, self-actualising process. Let me therefore call on all political parties and candidates to abide by the letter and spirit of the Accord by appealing to your supporters to maintain the peace before, during and after the elections. This will be your own way of showing commitment to the Peace Accord and appreciation for the work of the Peace Committee.

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