PHOTOS: Soludo, Ukachukwu sign peace accord ahead of Anambra guber

Candidates of 16 political parties in the Anambra governorship election slated for November 8 have signed a peace accord.

The event, which took place in Awka on Monday, was convened by the national peace committee (NPC) led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, the former head of state.

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra state and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and John Chima Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), were among candidates who signed the peace deal.

Speaking at the event, Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), assured candidates that the election would be peaceful and credible.

Amupitan praised the NPC for its “unwavering commitment to fostering peaceful elections in Nigeria”.

He noted that the signing of a peace accord during off-cycle governorship elections has been a critical factor in reducing electoral tensions and violence.

“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.

“It is not the signatures on this document that guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions.”

He urged the 16 participating political parties and their candidates to ensure the message of peace cascades to their supporters at all levels.