By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Ahead of Saturday’s Anambra State governorship election, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun (IGP) has warned against any attempt by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) or any other non state actors to interfere with the election.
The IGP gave the warning at the signing of peace accord by leaders and candidates of the sixteen political parties participating in the November 8 gubernatorial election in the state.
Mr Egbetokun, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG),Mr Ben Okoro, specifically warned that any such attempt shall invite an immediate, coordinated and overwhelming law enforcement response.
According to him, any such attempt “shall invite an immediate, coordinated and overwhelming law enforcement response.”
The IGP declared that the Nigerian Police had, with precision, targeted intelligence operations to identify, isolate and dismantle any network or individual floating acts of intimidation or violence during or after the election.
Declaring that the peace of Anambra state was not negotiable, the IGP further stated that “any person of group found bearing arms, brandishing instruments of intimidation, or performing unauthorized security duties outside recognised federal agencies shall be treated as an armed non state actor.”
Continuing, he said, “Such persons shall be swiftly neutralised, arrested and prosecuted under the Firearms Act, the Criminal Code and the terrorism prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 this remains an operational red line that will be enforced without hesitation.
“The Nigerian police force has activated the zero tolerance enforcement protocol to ensure total compliance with the Electoral Act and related laws.
“Our professionalism will be matched by decisiveness, our exchange by precision. Electoral offenses will be treated as criminal violations of national security, not mere political misconduct.
“Offences such as ballot snatching, vote buying, voter intimidation, are felonies under the Electoral Act 2022. Officers are under strict instruction to effect inmate arrest based on prima first year evidence and to ensure diligent prosecution through the electoral offenses desk already activated across the state, the objective is simple, to deter misconduct through swift and exemplary enforcement.
“In addition, specialised cyber crime units are deployed to monitor, trace and counter a digital misinformation, fake news and coordinated online propaganda aimed at destructing public peace or discrediting the process.
“Those who weaponise misinformation to incite violence will be traced, apprehended and prosecuted under the cyber crime, prohibition, prevention, etc, Act.
“The following Election Day protocols are binding and enforceable under federal law. No VIP movement, no political appointee, candidate of VIP is permitted to move with armed escorts or security aids to polling or coalition centers. Two, personnel mobility. Only accredited INEC officials, election observers and journalists may move freely between designated areas.
“Party agents and security personnel must remain within their assigned jurisdictions. Three, prohibited conduct, campaigning, partisan display or any act capable of causing provocation within the vicinity of polling units is prohibited.
“Possession of any weapon or instrument of intimidation will attract immediate arrest. To all political parties, candidates and campaign managers, the responsibility for peace rests heavily upon you.
“The Nigerian police force will hold political leadership directly accountable for the conduct of their supporters. Campaign with honour, persuade rather than provoke. True violence is illegitimate and unsustainable to our traditional religious and communist leaders, your moral authority remains vital.
“Use it to dissuade our youth from being instruments of political violence and to strengthen community vigilance against divisive rhetorics.
“Finally, to the good people of Anambra state, the Nigerian police force stands before you as the shield of the Constitution”, he stressed.
The Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State,
Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, represented by Lt Gen Martin Luther Agwai rtd, reminded the candidates and their parties that the commitment to the peace accord “is not in words only but it is a duty that calls for discipline, honor and responsibility.”
Abubakar called on INEC to ensure that the election was credible, urging the security agencies to protect and not intimidate while urging the traditional institutions to ensure proper guidance.
According to him, “Leadership is not only in seeking of it, but in safeguarding peace and ensuring that no life is put at risk, To INEC, we urge continued transparency and readiness for the trust of the people rests greatly on your conduct.
“To the IGP and all security agencies, we appeal for professionalism, impartiality and calm, assurance.
“The purpose of security is to protect and not to intimidate. To our respected traditional rulers and religious leaders, we recognize your role as custodian of wisdom and unity, your voices of guidance will be needed to uphold peace within our communities.
“To the media, we appeal for reporting that inform and build understanding and not reporting that instil fear or division”, he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Joash Amupitan urged all political parties, candidates, and their supporters to adhere to the principles of the peace accord.
In the words of Amupitan, “Let us work together to ensure that the upcoming election is remembered not for division or discord, but for its spirit of unity and the pursuit of common goals.
“Let us demonstrate to the
world that Anambra state is a beacon of hope, resilience, and democratic values.
“For our part, the Commission has taken deliberate steps to address operational challenges and ensure a smooth, credible election across the state.
“We have extensively engaged our
officials, transport providers, and security agencies to fine-tune deployment arrangements for
24,000 personnel and election materials across 5,718 polling units, 326 Ward Collation Centres, 21 Local Government Collation Centres, and ultimately, the State Collation Centre in Awka.
“Voters should therefore expect a significant improvement in Election Day logistics. Enhanced result
management processes will also be evident.
“The Commission has approved a final register of 2,802,790 eligible voters for the Anambra governorship election scheduled for Saturday, 8 November 2025.
‘To facilitate maximum participation, we extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) until yesterday, Sunday, 2nd November 2025.
“Our mandate is to deliver credible elections, and we reaffirm our
resolve to combat vote-buying. Any individuals or groups planning to subvert the will of the people will be firmly confronted within the strong hands of the law.
“The Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has instituted robust security measures for this election. The Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 personnel, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is deploying 10,250 officers, alongside other agencies.
“With the peace accord being signed today, the proactive efforts of security agencies, and the valuable contributions of traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, civil society, the media, and other stakeholders, we are confident, by God’s grace, that the 2025 Anambra governorship election will be peaceful and successful”, he said.
ENDS
