The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that candidates in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election will sign a peace accord on November 8. INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu shared the development at a quarterly meeting with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Abuja, indicating the accord is coordinated by the National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Yakubu noted that the signing aims to secure candidates’ commitment to a violence-free election ahead of the November 16 poll. Nearly 72% of registered voters have already collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), an important factor in ensuring voter participation, he added.

INEC also plans to conduct a mock accreditation exercise at selected polling units on November 6 to verify the readiness of its result viewing portal, testing the system’s capacity for uploading results.

“On this note, I am also glad to announce that the National Peace Committee, under the leadership of our respected former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, is organizing the peace accord for Ondo candidates on November 8,” Yakubu stated.

He emphasized that INEC will finalize logistical preparations and work closely with security agencies to address any potential flashpoints across the state, noting, “We are aware of flashpoints in some local government areas to which we have already drawn the attention of security agencies.”

In his remarks, Yakubu also urged CSOs who observed the recent Edo State governorship election to submit their reports promptly. He underscored the importance of CSO contributions in promoting peaceful elections.

Yakubu concluded that INEC will assess final preparations for the Ondo election in the coming days, coordinating closely with security agencies, transport providers, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth election process.