As Ondo State prepared for its 2024 governorship election, the National Peace Committee (NPC), housed at The Kukah Centre, with support from the European Union Support to Democracy in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, undertook a series of strategic engagements from 5th to 7th November 2024. These engagements with key stakeholders and a multi-stakeholder dialogue provided a platform to build trust, foster collaboration, and socialise the content of the Peace Accord ahead of its formal signing.
Advocacy Visit: The NPC project team visited relevant stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Ondo State Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Chairman, and the Catholic Bishop of Ondo State. These visits strengthened partnerships with security agencies, political parties, and religious leaders, laying the groundwork for coordination and mobilisation ahead of the Peace Accord signing. Discussions particularly emphasised NPC-NPF collaboration for a peaceful electoral process and the need for political actors to reaffirm their commitment towards non-violence.
Stakeholders’ Dialogue: On 6th November 2024, NPC convened a stakeholders’ dialogue in Akure, drawing 58 participants, including INEC officials, political party chairmen, security agencies (NPF and NSCDC), traditional leaders, civil society organisations (CSOs), and media representatives. The dialogue opened with remarks from the Project Manager, Barr. Asabe Ndahi, who set the agenda for discussions. The Asae of Akure land, High Chief Shola Adegbonmire, delivered a goodwill message underscoring the importance of dialogue and shared responsibility for credible elections. Hon. Prince Adesanya Olaoluwa, IPAC Chairman in Ondo State, also reaffirmed political parties’ collective commitment to peaceful and transparent polls. The IPAC Chairman assured voters of a free and fair election, commended INEC for its transparency, and pledged on behalf of all political parties to accept the election outcome.
Key Presentations
- NPC’s Mandate and Impact – Deborah Obafemi (TKC) – outlined the Committee’s interventions under EU-SDGN II, noting progress but highlighting the need for stronger enforcement of Peace Accord compliance.
- The Peace Accord Document – Barr. Asabe Ndahi – explained the legal implications of the Accord, linking each clause to Nigeria’s constitutional and electoral frameworks.
- Emerging Issues in Ondo Elections – Prof. Aribigbola Afolabi (Election Expert) identified vote buying, declining voter turnout, logistical/security challenges, and fake news as critical risks, urging proactive measures by all stakeholders.
INEC pledged professionalism, improved logistics, and stronger voter education. Security agencies (NPF, NSCDC) promised neutrality and robust deployment to safeguard peace.
Media representatives stressed their role in countering fake news while calling for protection from harassment. Emerging risks highlighted included the impact of poverty and economic hardship on voter participation, as well as political tensions fuelled by party defections and inflammatory rhetoric.
Signing of the Ondo State Governorship Election Peace Accord – 8th November 2024
The pre-election engagements culminated in the Peace Accord Signing Ceremony, held at the Dome International Cultural Centre, Akure, and facilitated by the NPC. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar (Rtd) GCFR, NPC Chairman; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, NPC Convener; Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa; Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman; top security officials; and representatives of political parties.
A welcome address by General Abdulsalami urged parties to commit to peace. He commended political leaders for signing the peace accord and urged all parties to accept credible election results. He praised the efforts of security agencies in maintaining peace in Ondo State and called for vigilance against vote-buying and post-election violence. He concluded by stressing that peace is essential for national unity and wished everyone a peaceful election.
Goodwill Messages: INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, assured readiness for the polls, noting significant logistical improvements and urging political parties to adhere to the Peace Accord. He praised the NPC’s role in fostering peaceful elections and assured stakeholders of a credible electoral process.
DIG Sylvester Abiodun (Representing the Inspector General of Police) outlined extensive security measures, including deploying over 36,000 police personnel and collaborating with other agencies to ensure a peaceful election. He emphasised the police’s neutrality and commitment to a secure and credible process.
Safiya Bichi (Yiaga Africa) gave a presentation which included key findings from Yiaga Africa’s pre-election assessment, highlighting issues such as voter education gaps, money politics, and election-related violence. 12 flashpoints of potential violence were identified, and stakeholders urged to intensify efforts to ensure a peaceful and credible election
Peace Accord Signing: The peace accord was signed by the 16 gubernatorial candidates present, 15 political party chairpersons, INEC, and the police, symbolising their commitment to peaceful elections. The event, facilitated by NPC leaders, concluded with candidates exchanging gestures of goodwill, reinforcing their pledge to uphold peace.
Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa reiterated his commitment to a peaceful election and urged stakeholders to honour the peace accord. He assured citizens that the state’s tradition of peace would continue, regardless of the election results.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and stakeholders for their contributions. He called for responsible participation, and urged citizens to respect credible election outcomes. He concluded by honouring late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s contributions to the states.
Key Observation
- Voter Education Deficiency: A lack of voter education will result in a large percentage of invalid votes, especially in areas with the highest voter turnout, such as Ondo Central.
- Money Politics: High amounts of voter inducement were recorded in several places, threatening electoral credibility
- Election-Related Violence: Indicators of violence, including verbal and physical attacks, hate speech, and the spread of small arms, have prompted concerns about the election’s security.
Conclusion
The Ondo pre-election advocacy visits, stakeholder dialogue, and Peace Accord signing underscored the NPC’s pivotal role in fostering collaboration, reducing tensions, and safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic processes. Although voter education deficiency, money politices, and Election-related violence were flagged during the engagements, bringing stakeholders together ensured the necessary conversations were had and secured commitments to peace, but also laid a strong foundation for credible, transparent, and violence-free elections in Ondo State. Stakeholders demonstrated a shared commitment to the principles of democracy, conflict resolution, and inclusivity, identifying measures to address challenges.
