Candidates vying for a seat in Nigeria’s upcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election signed a binding peace agreement this week, pledging to ensure a credible and violence-free election on August 16. The accord, mediated by Nigeria’s electoral commission and security agencies, underscores efforts to bolster public trust in a region keen to avoid the irregularities that have marred past polls.
The signing ceremony, held at the Oyo State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was witnessed by Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Adeniran Tella and Commissioner of Police Femi Aruna. Representatives from key security and civic bodies, including the Nigerian Army, the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), also attended, signaling a coordinated push for electoral integrity.
Dr. Tella stressed that the agreement aims to create a “conducive environment for voters to exercise their rights,” directly linking peaceful conditions to the election’s legitimacy. He noted that INEC had collaborated closely with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), led by the police, to finalize the accord. Five political party candidates participated in the signing: Akin Alamu (ADC), Haastrup Olatunji (APC), Olabisi Odususi (APGA), Sunday Oyekunle (PDP), and Hammed Badmus (ZLP). Tella admonished parties to refrain from voter intimidation and confirmed that non-sensitive election materials had already been distributed to polling areas.
The by-election will cover 512 polling units, with over 272,000 registered voters eligible to cast ballots. INEC has deployed 526 biometric voter verification (BVAS) machines, alongside 48 backups, to authenticate voters and transmit results through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). This technology, introduced in recent elections, seeks to minimize disputes by enabling real-time result uploads and transparency.
Both major-party candidates—Olatunji of the governing APC and Oyekunle of the opposition PDP—vowed to uphold the peace pact. Olatunji praised preparations by INEC and security forces, while Oyekunle called for impartiality, urging officials to “conduct a free, fair, and transparent process.” The pledges come amid heightened public scrutiny of Nigeria’s electoral reforms following allegations of voter suppression and logistical failures in past contests.
With less than a week until polling day, the accord highlights Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reinforce democratic norms through stakeholder collaboration and technological safeguards. However, its success hinges on adherence by candidates and vigilance from observers in a region where political contests often test the resolve of institutions to deliver peaceful outcomes.
