The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the National Peace Committee (NPC) to support its appeal to stakeholders involved in the electoral process to ensure peaceful elections in Edo and Ondo states. The call came from INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who emphasized the importance of maintaining peace during the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections.
Professor Yakubu made this appeal on Friday, 16th August, during a meeting with the NPC, where he led a delegation of National Commissioners to brief the Committee on INEC’s preparation for the elections. The elections in Edo and Ondo are scheduled to take place in 35 days and 91 days, respectively.
The National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar (Rtd), GCFR, was established in 2014 in response to the heightened tensions surrounding the 2015 general elections. The NPC is made up of respected elder statesmen, with the goal of supporting peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections. Through high-level mediation and alternative dispute resolution, the NPC seeks to prevent electoral violence and maintain stability in Nigeria.
Prof. Yakubu expressed gratitude to the NPC for its continuous efforts in fostering peaceful elections. He noted that since the NPC began its work, the country has experienced more peaceful elections. According to him, “the contributions of the NPC have been invaluable in reducing electoral violence.” He encouraged the Committee not to relent in its mission, especially as the elections in Edo and Ondo approach.
On INEC’s preparations, Prof. Yakubu provided an update, stating that the Commission had successfully completed nine out of the thirteen scheduled activities for the elections. These activities, he mentioned, were outlined in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, which was released in September last year. He assured that the Commission was on track with its preparations, emphasizing that all activities had been conducted without any delays or issues.
The next critical activity, he said, would be the presentation of the Register of Voters to all the political parties fielding candidates in Edo state, scheduled for Tuesday next week. Prof. Yakubu reiterated the importance of this step in ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
“All the activities that INEC is supposed to conduct have been conducted without hitches. Not one activity has been adjusted for one day,” Prof. Yakubu stated, emphasizing the Commission’s commitment to a smooth electoral process. He pointed out that while INEC was responsible for organizing the elections, the success of the process depended on the cooperation of various stakeholders. “The political parties, observers, the media, the security agencies, and everybody have a role to play,” he added.
A major challenge faced by the Commission, according to Prof. Yakubu, is ensuring that peace is maintained on Election Day. He emphasized the importance of the NPC’s role in appealing to all political actors and stakeholders to uphold peace not only during the election but in the period leading up to it and after the results are declared. “The biggest challenge we have been facing in the management of elections is what happens on Election Day,” he said.
INEC has been working to address several potential concerns ahead of the Edo and Ondo elections. One issue raised by the INEC Chairman is the possible involvement of state-controlled security outfits in the elections, such as the Edo State Security Network and the Amotekun in Ondo State. Prof. Yakubu assured that the Police had provided reassurances that these state-controlled outfits would not participate in election security. He stressed that ensuring a peaceful election required careful coordination with security agencies.
Another area of concern highlighted by Prof. Yakubu is the threat posed by non-state actors and armed groups. These groups have the potential to disrupt the electoral process and create instability in the lead-up to the elections. INEC has been actively engaging with security agencies to ensure that these threats are mitigated. The issue of non-state actors was also raised during a recent meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICESS), where strategies were discussed to ensure that security challenges are addressed before and during the elections.
In addition to security, INEC is also focused on ensuring that all eligible voters are able to participate in the elections by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Prof. Yakubu confirmed that the Commission had printed 119,000 PVCs for new registrants, as well as for voters who had requested transfers or replacements for lost or damaged cards. In total, 184,000 PVCs have been printed, and they are currently being sorted by Local Government, Ward, and polling unit in Edo State.
Prof. Yakubu assured the public that the distribution of PVCs would be carried out efficiently to ensure that all eligible voters have their cards before Election Day. “I am happy to say that all the cards have arrived in Edo State since Monday,” he said. He also mentioned that INEC would be sending personalized messages to new registrants to inform them about when and where they can pick up their PVCs. The list of new registrants would also be published on the Commission’s website to further facilitate the process.
The National Peace Committee, which played a pivotal role in the peaceful conduct of previous elections, expressed its readiness to continue supporting INEC in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Edo and Ondo states. NPC members present at the briefing included the Chairman, General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar (Rtd); the Convener, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah; His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Professor Ameze Guobadia; Dame Priscilla Kuye; General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd); and Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
As the elections in Edo and Ondo draw closer, the call for peace is growing louder. With INEC’s efforts to ensure transparency, security, and smooth logistics, along with the NPC’s commitment to fostering a peaceful electoral atmosphere, all eyes will be on these two states as the election dates approach. It is hoped that the combined efforts of these bodies, along with the cooperation of political actors and other stakeholders, will lead to a peaceful and credible election that reflects the will of the people.
