All 10 political parties participating in the November 1 Niger State Local Government Council elections have signed a peace accord committing to non-violence and fair conduct during the polls.

The signing ceremony, organized by the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), also marked the commencement of the distribution of sensitive election materials to various local government areas to ensure early arrival at polling units.

Speaking during the stakeholders and peace accord meeting in Minna, the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, said the gathering was aimed at promoting maturity, responsibility, and collective commitment to peace among political actors.

Elleman explained that the peace accord outlined clear terms and conditions to guarantee a free, fair, and credible election, stressing that the Police Command and other security agencies, in collaboration with NSIEC, had made comprehensive arrangements to provide a secure environment before, during, and after the election.

He cautioned youths and party supporters against being used as instruments of violence or disruption, urging them instead to serve as ambassadors of peace. The police, he assured, would remain professional, neutral, and vigilant throughout the electoral process.

“This peace accord is not just a formality; it is an oath. All signatories must take it seriously and abide by its provisions,” Elleman said.

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NSIEC Reaffirms Readiness

During the flag-off of sensitive material distribution, NSIEC Chairman, Engineer Mohammed Jubril Imam, commended all political parties for their cooperation and peaceful conduct so far. He warned, however, that any act of violence during the election would attract serious consequences.

Imam disclosed that the election would use a manual accreditation system, not an electronic one, and called for the full cooperation of voters and political parties to ensure a smooth process.

“Elections should be seen as a contest of ideas, not a battlefield,” Imam said. “NSIEC is committed to conducting an election that will stand the test of integrity and truly reflect the will of the people.”

He also revealed that over 5,000 ad-hoc staff would be deployed across all wards in the state, with special logistics provided for riverine and security-challenged areas to ensure full participation.

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Stakeholders Commend NSIEC

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman praised NSIEC for giving political parties six months to prepare adequately, describing the process as transparent and inclusive. He also lauded the peaceful atmosphere that has characterized the pre-election period.

As the state heads to the polls, security agencies, electoral officials, and political actors alike have pledged to uphold peace and ensure that the Niger council elections are credible, transparent, and reflective of the people’s choice.