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The Hon. Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has called on political parties and candidates contesting in the upcoming Edo State Governorship election scheduled for next Saturday 21st September 2024 to honor the commitments outlined in the Peace Accord they voluntarily signed. He emphasized that adhering to the agreement is essential for ensuring a peaceful and successful election in the State.
He made this appeal while delivering a goodwill message during the Peace Accord signing ceremony on Thursday, 12th September 2024 in Benin City, the Edo State capital. The event was held under the esteemed leadership of the Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), General Abdulsalami Abubakar rtd.
The INEC Chairman, who served as one of the three witnesses to the signing of the peace pact recalled that the first peace accord outside a Presidential Election was signed in Edo State in 2020 ahead of the last governorship election in the State. He averred that “Happily, political parties and candidates adhered to their commitments under the terms of the Peace Accord and the election was held peacefully despite the tension during the pre-election campaign activities.”
He stated “Once again, we are here in Edo State on the eve of another Governorship election. For us as the election management body, I want to assure political parties and candidates that we will continue to play our part according to the law and best practice as articulated in the clauses of the National Peace Accord that we are about to commit ourselves to.”
“I appeal to political parties and candidates to note that it is not your signatures on the peace document that will guarantee a peaceful election. It is your commitment to its implementation that is critical.”
Charging the Parties and candidates to take action, the INEC Chairman said, “Therefore, as you sign the Peace Accord, commit yourselves to the implementation and terms of the accord and pass the message to your supporters at all levels for compliance. This is the best way to honour the effort and sacrifice of the Chairman and members of the NPC to peaceful elections.”
INEC CHAIRMAN CHARGES STAFF TO WORK CONSCIENTIOUSLY WITH INTEGRITY FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF EDO STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
The members of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been charged to uphold the highest standard of integrity and carry out their duties diligently and conscientiously to ensure there are no slip-ups in the Edo State Governorship election next Saturday.
The Hon. Chairman INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu issued this directive during a meeting with the Commission’s staff in Edo State on Thursday, 12th September 2024 at the state office. He cautioned that any actions compromising the integrity of the election would have serious consequences.
The INEC Chairman emphasized that the Commission had worked assiduously to elevate the standards in the conduct of the Edo State Governorship election.
Expressing his satisfaction with the level of preparedness, he urged staff to complement these efforts by ensuring that logistics are efficiently managed and polling units are opened promptly.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu urged the Electoral Officers (EOs) to ensure the smooth execution of both logistics deployment and reverse logistics. He emphasized that the Commission’s efforts would be in vain if polling units were not activated promptly on Election Day.
Furthermore, the INEC Chairman urged staff to exercise caution in safeguarding the integrity of the election materials, warning that these materials must not get into the wrong hands.
He encouraged the staff to persist in their hard work and honesty while assuring them that the Commission is committed to recognizing and recommending deserving staff for advancement as soon as possible.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha expressed his gladness that the INEC Chairman regards Edo staff as hardworking and committed to delivering a credible election. He also thanked the Chairman for the support provided to the state office, particularly during the recent flooding.
Dr. Onuoha urged the staff to reaffirm their commitment to the Commission, their oath of neutrality and their service to the country. He also cautioned them to resist any temptations from desperate politicians who might try to compromise their integrity.
