After consultation with the National Peace Committee (NPC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Thursday announced that the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State Governorship election is scheduled to take place on Thursday 12th September, 2024 in Benin City.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this in Abuja at an extraordinary meeting with political parties on the 2024 edo state governorship election.
Yakubu said unlike the previous peace accords signed a few days to the election, it was decided to do so early this time around to enable the Peace Committee to monitor compliance with the code voluntarily signed by parties, candidates and other critical players in the electoral process such as INEC and the security agencies during the remaining days to the election.
He added that it would further weight to the Peace Accord beyond mere ceremony as demanded by many observers and even some of the political actors themselves.
His words: “After consultation with the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar GCFR, the signing of the Peace Accord for the Edo State Governorship election will take place on Thursday 12th September 2024 in Benin City.
“The signing of the Peace Accord will be preceded by the INEC Stakeholders meeting to be held on Wednesday 11th September 2024 in Benin City. As usual, the meeting will be addressed by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police.
“It is an open forum for political parties, candidates, observers and the media to interact with the Commission and the security agencies ahead of the election.”
The chairman urged leaders of political parties to note the dates for the INEC Stakeholders meeting and the signing of the Peace Accord and mobilise State Chairmen and candidates to participate.
Also, the Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle said the Edo State gubernatorial election would be a litmus test for the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for Saturday 16th November 2024, which in turn gives direction to future elections in the country.
He noted that the people of Edo State are willing to come out en masse and vote for the election if the environment is conducive and their votes will count in the overall result.
Dantalle added: “That is where the challenge is, and where IPAC will collaborate with other stakeholders including INEC – the electoral umpire, security agencies, election observers and the media to ensure that all votes are counted and reflect the wish of the electorate.
“The success of the election will drastically reduce post-election litigation and reinforce trust and confidence in the electoral process, thus, bolster voter turnout.
“It will also save the Judiciary from undue intervention and interference in the declaration of the winner of an election.”