Sixteen political parties and their candidates on Monday signed a peace accord ahead of the upcoming Anambra governorship election, as the Nigeria Police Force issued a strong warning to groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its armed wing the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and other non-state actors to stay away from the polls.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector General Ben Okoro, gave the warning in Awka during the peace accord ceremony. He stated that any attempt to disrupt the election “will attract an immediate, coordinated, and overwhelming law enforcement response.”
According to him, the police have activated intelligence-driven operations to track and dismantle any group or individual planning violence, intimidation, or electoral interference.
“The peace of Anambra State is not negotiable,” the IGP said. “Anyone found carrying weapons, intimidating voters, or performing unauthorized security duties will be treated as an armed non-state actor and dealt with accordingly.”
The police chief further emphasized that electoral offences such as vote buying, ballot snatching, or voter intimidation would be treated as serious crimes against national security. Officers have been directed to make swift arrests and ensure offenders face prosecution.
He also revealed that cybercrime units had been deployed to monitor and counter fake news and online propaganda aimed at disrupting public order, warning that those who spread misinformation to incite violence would be prosecuted under the Cybercrime Act.
Egbetokun outlined several key protocols for Election Day:
No VIP movements with armed escorts or aides will be allowed near polling or collation centres.
Only accredited INEC officials, observers, and journalists may move freely between designated areas.
Campaigning or partisan activity around polling units is strictly prohibited.
Anyone caught with weapons or intimidation tools will be immediately arrested.
“Political leaders will be held responsible for the conduct of their supporters,” he warned. “Campaign with honour; persuade rather than provoke. Violence has no place in democracy.”
He also called on traditional, religious, and community leaders to use their influence to discourage youths from being used as instruments of violence, stressing that the police will act as “the shield of the Constitution.
Speaking at the event, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), Chairman of the National Peace Committee, represented by Lt Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), reminded all candidates that signing the peace accord was a moral and civic duty.
Read Also;
Anambra Guber: Police intensify election security training for personnel
“The commitment to peace is not just in words but in discipline, honour, and responsibility,” he said, urging INEC to maintain transparency and calling on security agencies to protect, not intimidate.
He added that traditional rulers and religious leaders must guide their communities and that the media should report responsibly to foster unity, not fear.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, also appealed to parties and supporters to uphold the spirit of peace and unity.
“Let this election be remembered for its fairness and unity, not division,” he said. “Anambra should remain a symbol of resilience and democratic strength.”
Amupitan announced that INEC had finalized a register of 2,802,790 eligible voters and would deploy 24,000 personnel across 5,718 polling units. The police will deploy 45,000 officers, while the Civil Defence Corps will provide 10,250 personnel.
He assured voters that logistics and result management had been improved, and that vote-buying and other malpractices would be met with the full force of the law.
“With this peace accord, proactive security measures, and the cooperation of all stakeholders,” Amupitan said, “we are confident that the 2025 Anambra governorship election will be peaceful, credible, and successful.”
