By David Lawani and Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
As political tension heightens ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election, the National Peace Committee (NPC) has issued stern warnings to political actors, security agencies, and media professionals against incitement, misinformation, and the abuse of influence that could disrupt public peace.
The Chairman of the Committee and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), was represented by Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd.) during the signing of the Anambra Peace Accord in Awka.
He stated that the Peace Accord was not a symbolic ritual, but a moral contract that placed responsibility on every participant to safeguard the peace, security, and dignity of the people of Anambra.
“We are gathered for a purpose above personal ambition or party interest,” Agwai declared. “The peace, security, and dignity of Anambra people must remain paramount. Leadership is not only in seeking office but in ensuring that no life is put at risk.”
He urged politicians to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric. He appealed to the media to exercise restraint and responsibility in their reporting, warning that sensational or biased coverage could exacerbate division and violence.
“To the media, we appeal for reportage that builds understanding, not fear or division. Democracy thrives only when it reflects the people’s will,” he said.
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, representing the NPC, said the committee’s presence was to “hold hands” with political actors and remind them that the peace accord goes beyond signatures.
“We must work hard to make democracy believable and credible,” Kukah emphasised. “Peace cannot exist where there is deceit or coercion.”
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by DIG Ben Okoro, reaffirmed that the police would enforce electoral laws with precision, neutrality, and firmness.
He said intelligence-driven operations had been deployed to identify and dismantle any group or individual planning violence before, during, or after the poll.
He added that VIP movements with armed escorts, campaigning near polling stations, and displaying party symbols on Election Day were strictly prohibited.
“Any person or group found bearing arms, performing unauthorised security duties, or inciting unrest will be treated as armed non-state actors and prosecuted,” he warned.
He also disclosed that the police had deployed cybercrime and intelligence units to track fake news and digital propaganda designed to mislead voters or incite violence.
Civil society groups have described the NPC’s warning as “a timely wake-up call.”
They stressed that with the rising wave of propaganda and distrust, maintaining neutrality by security agencies and fairness by the media would be crucial to the election’s success.
