Thirteen political parties contesting the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State on Thursday signed a peace accord, pledging commitment to non-violence before, during and after the poll.

The agreement, facilitated by the National Peace Committee (NPC) in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was also attended by security agencies and political stakeholders.

Among the signatories was the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, who reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining peace in the state, urging supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during the electoral process.

Speaking at the event, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, warned political parties against violence and electoral misconduct, insisting that the peace accord must go beyond ceremonial signing to practical adherence.

He said Ekiti had long been known for political awareness and relative calm during elections, adding that stakeholders must ensure that reputation is maintained in the forthcoming poll.

He stressed that following the successful containment of pre-election anxieties during the Anambra State off-cycle Governorship Election in November 2025, the commission is determined to replicate this vital mechanism ahead of the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 20th June 2026.

He disclosed that when the commission recognised that electoral friction is not exclusive to federal contests, it requested the NPC to devolve the signing of the Peace Accord to off-cycle gubernatorial polls, adding that since that maiden devolution in Edo State in September 2020, the commission have successfully institutionalised it across multiple states.

He said further that “time and experience have proven that where political leaders honour their commitments, the peace on paper translates directly to safety on the streets.

“Today, as 13 political parties prepare to enter the field in Ekiti, we are reminded that this document is not a mere bureaucratic formality; it is a moral treaty signed before the citizens of this state and the global community.

“The peace accord should not just be on paper; it must be practised. Ekiti has been known for political awareness and peaceful conduct and should therefore replicate it during this election,” he said.

Amupitan disclosed that INEC had intensified preparations for the election across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 registration areas and 2,445 polling units, with over one million registered voters expected to participate.

He added that the commission had already begun logistics deployment and stakeholder engagement, including security agencies and transport providers, to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise.

According to him, 54 media organisations and 470 journalists had been accredited to cover the poll, alongside 96 domestic and two international observer groups.

Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, warned against violence, voter intimidation and other electoral offences, saying security agencies were fully prepared to ensure a safe environment for the election.

He said the Nigeria Police Force, working with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, had developed comprehensive deployment plans covering all polling units across the state.

Disu assured that personnel would remain professional, impartial and committed to protecting voters, electoral officials and observers throughout the process.

He urged political actors to ensure that their supporters adhered strictly to the spirit of the peace accord, warning that any attempt to subvert the electoral process would be met with firm action.

Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, represented by Martin Agwai, said the peace accord was a collective commitment to credible and violence-free elections.

He urged all stakeholders to prioritise peace over political ambition, noting that elections should not be won at the expense of lives or national stability.

“Peace is a shared responsibility and democracy can only thrive in a peaceful atmosphere,” he said.