Ondo Governorship Election: Parties to sign peace accord on November 8 as INEC flags security concerns

Tamarauemi Ebimini

Ahead of the Ondo State Governorship Election scheduled for November 16, political parties will participate in a Peace Accord signing on November 8.

This initiative, coordinated by the National Peace Committee and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), aims to secure a peaceful election process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced on Thursday in Abuja that the Commission has identified potential flashpoints in Ondo and alerted security agencies for effective conflict mapping. Speaking during the fourth quarterly meeting with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), he noted that INEC would conduct a final readiness assessment next week, involving stakeholders, officials, security agencies, and transport providers.

Prof. Yakubu also shared that the Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) collection period concluded recently, with 64,273 out of 89,777 PVCs distributed—a collection rate of 71.6%. He credited CSOs with helping mobilize voters for card collection and indicated that INEC would publish cumulative PVC collection figures by polling unit on its website.

The INEC Chairman expressed satisfaction with improvements to the voter accreditation process and result upload procedures, as well as enhancements in media and observer accreditations. Further logistical adjustments, especially for personnel and material movement to both land and riverine locations, aim to facilitate the prompt start and smooth management of voting and results on Election Day.