By Balarabe Oshiafi
As the 2024 Edo State Governorship election draws closer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the signing of the Peace Accord for the election will take place on Thursday, September 12, 2024, in Benin City. This crucial event, organized in collaboration with the National Peace Committee (NPC), seeks to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during an extraordinary meeting with political parties held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The meeting was convened to discuss final preparations for the upcoming election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
According to Yakubu, the Peace Accord will be presided over by the NPC Chairman and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. The decision to hold the Peace Accord signing earlier than in previous elections is a strategic move to allow the NPC to monitor compliance with the peace agreement by political parties and their candidates in the critical days leading up to the election.
In his speech at the meeting, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, emphasized the importance of the Edo election in restoring confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. He stated, “As leaders of political parties, this is our chance to restore confidence in the electoral process by ensuring the sanctity of the ballot box and respect the mandate of the people. After 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria, we must get it right this time.” Dantalle also highlighted that the Edo State gubernatorial polls would be a litmus test for the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024, which, in turn, would influence future elections in the country.
Dantalle further urged political parties and their candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns, stressing that there is no place for politics of bitterness and violence that have hindered the nation’s democracy.
“It is time to change the narrative. It is time for patriotism. It is time to strengthen, deepen, and advance our democracy. It is a collective task in the quest for a strong, united, progressive, prosperous, equitable, and just democratic society,” he added.
The signing of the Peace Accord is a significant part of the electoral process in Nigeria, as it serves to commit political parties and their candidates to peaceful conduct before, during, and after the election. The Peace Accord also seeks to reduce the incidence of electoral violence, which has historically marred elections in various parts of the country.
In addition to the Peace Accord, INEC has scheduled a Stakeholders’ Meeting in Benin City for Wednesday, September 11, 2024. The meeting will provide a platform for political parties, candidates, observers, and the media to engage with INEC and security agencies on issues related to the election. Both the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police are expected to address the stakeholders.
