The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has assured Nigerians that the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on February 23, 2023. He gave this assurance at the signing of the national peace accord by presidential candidates in Abuja on Wednesday.
Prof. Yakubu stated that the commission is prepared to conduct a free and fair election, and Nigerians should rest assured that their votes will count. He reiterated that INEC is neutral and has no preferred candidate in the forthcoming general elections.
The INEC chairman appreciated the efforts of the National Peace Committee for convening the event, which is the third peace accord to be signed by political parties and candidates on the eve of a general election in Nigeria since 2015.
He added that the signing of the peace accord comes at a critical moment in the electoral calendar, as the campaign for the presidential and national assembly elections ends at midnight on Thursday, 23rd February 2023. INEC has already commenced the movement of sensitive materials to the various local government areas nationwide, and by Friday, the registration area centres will be activated. The polling units will open on time on Saturday, the day of the elections.
According to Prof. Yakubu, the commission is committed to free, fair, and credible elections in compliance with the electoral framework and the spirit of the peace accord. He assured all political parties and candidates of the commission’s neutrality, stating that INEC is not a political party and has no candidate in the election. He emphasised that the commission’s allegiance is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and its loyalty is to Nigerians.
This declaration by the INEC chairman comes amidst speculations and concerns about the possible postponement of the elections due to security challenges and logistic issues in some parts of the country. However, with the assurance given by Prof. Yakubu, the commission is fully prepared to conduct the elections as scheduled.
The presidential candidates’ signing of the peace accord is a significant step towards ensuring a peaceful and violence-free election. It is hoped that all the parties and candidates will adhere to the provisions of the agreement and work towards maintaining peace and stability in the country during and after the elections.
