The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured Nigerians that the forthcoming Anambra State off-cycle governorship election will be peaceful, credible, and transparent.
According to a statement by INEC on Monday, Professor Amupitan gave the assurance during the signing of the Peace Accord organized by the National Peace Committee (NPC), led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).
In his remarks, Amupitan praised the NPC for its “unwavering commitment to fostering peaceful elections in Nigeria,” noting that extending the Peace Accord initiative to off-cycle elections has significantly helped reduce electoral tension nationwide.
“After witnessing the success of the Peace Accord at the national level, the NPC graciously agreed, five years ago, to our request to devolve its signing… This became necessary given the tensions and violence that have accompanied some past elections,” he said.
The INEC Chairman, however, warned that the Peace Accord would only be meaningful if accompanied by genuine action. “It is not the signatures on this document that guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions,” he cautioned, urging all 16 participating political parties and candidates to promote peace among their supporters.
Amupitan highlighted INEC’s extensive preparations for the election, scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025, including the deployment of 24,000 officials and election materials across 5,718 polling units and numerous collation centres. “Voters should therefore expect a significant improvement in Election Day logistics,” he assured.
INEC also approved a final register of 2,802,790 eligible voters and extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) until Sunday, November 2, to enhance voter participation.
Addressing security concerns, Amupitan said the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has developed robust strategies to safeguard the polls. The Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 personnel, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will assign 10,250 officers across the state.
He reiterated the Commission’s zero tolerance for electoral malpractice and vote-buying, warning that anyone attempting to undermine the people’s will would face the full weight of the law.
With the Peace Accord in effect, strong security measures, and stakeholder cooperation, Amupitan expressed confidence that the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election would be peaceful and successful.
“Let us work together to ensure that the upcoming election is remembered not for division or discord, but for its spirit of unity and the pursuit of common goals,” he declared. “Let us demonstrate to the world that Anambra State is a beacon of hope, resilience, and democratic values.”
What you should know
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan has assured that the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election will be peaceful and credible, with over 24,000 officials deployed.
Backed by 55,000 security personnel and the Peace Accord initiative, INEC pledges transparency, stronger logistics, and firm action against vote-buying or electoral violence.
