Anambra Governorship Candidates, Including Soludo and Ukachukwu, To Sign Peace Accord Ahead of Election
By GLORY UGOBA
All sixteen candidates contesting the upcoming Anambra State governorship election are expected to sign a peace accord next week in Awka, the state capital, as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent poll.
The announcement was made by Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of The Kukah Centre and Head of the National Peace Committee (NPC) Secretariat, during a pre-election stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday.
Peace Committee to Monitor Conduct of Political Actors
Rev. Fr. Barkindo said the event — organized by the National Peace Committee under the chairmanship of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) — would bring together all governorship hopefuls, including incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo and top contenders like Nicholas Ukachukwu.
“We are here to work with you — the people who understand the social and cultural fabric of Anambra,” he said. “Our goal is to build upon the peace that already exists.”
Barkindo explained that the peace accord serves as a moral and institutional framework empowering the committee to mediate in case of post-election disputes.
“Once candidates commit to the accord, it gives us legitimacy to intervene if conflicts arise after the election,” he noted.
Addressing Security and Misinformation
On the issue of insecurity, Rev. Fr. Barkindo urged residents not to be swayed by fearmongering or exaggerated media reports about violence in the state.
“Many of the claims of violence are rumours, misinformation, and outright lies,” he said. “The perception of insecurity is often worse than the reality. That’s why we’re here — to ensure this election remains peaceful.”
He appealed to citizens to prioritize the future of Anambra over short-term political interests.
“In 50 years, most of us will be gone, but the State will remain. We must hand over a peaceful Anambra to the next generation,” he emphasized.
Confidence in INEC’s New Leadership
The NPC expressed optimism that the November 8 governorship election will mark a turning point for electoral credibility in Nigeria, especially under the new leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“This is the first major election under the new INEC Chairman,” Barkindo said. “We are hopeful it will set a new benchmark for fairness and transparency not just for Anambra, but for the entire country.”
He, however, warned that proactive intelligence gathering by security agencies would be critical to preventing any threats to the process.
Call for Responsible Campaigns and Online Conduct
The Peace Committee urged political parties to demonstrate restraint, avoid hate speech, and manage their supporters responsibly during and after the elections.
“No election is worth the loss of any life,” Barkindo cautioned, calling on candidates to rely on their situation rooms and lawful channels rather than violence or intimidation.
He also appealed to voters and social media users to stop sharing fake results and avoid posting inflammatory content online.
“Anambra is known for innovation and progressiveness. Let that same spirit of peace guide this election,” he added.
Stakeholders Back Peace Initiative
The proposed peace accord was formally presented during the stakeholders’ meeting, which had in attendance representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, media representatives, and several gubernatorial candidates.
Participants commended the National Peace Committee for taking proactive steps to preserve peace before, during, and after the polls.
