Political parties in Rivers State have signed a Peace Accord ahead of the Local Government Council elections scheduled for 30th August 2025.
Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, Michael Odey, said the peace accord represents a commitment by stakeholders, particularly political parties and their candidates, to place peace above personal or partisan interests and to adhere to the democratic process before, during, and after the polls.
Odey assured that the Commission, as the electoral umpire, is committed to conducting peaceful, credible, and inclusive council elections.
He stressed that the success of any election ultimately depends on the conduct of political actors and their supporters.
Odey also warned against hate speech, violence, and all forms of crisis or destruction, urging political parties not only to sign the accord but also to uphold it in practice.
He emphasized the need for all stakeholders to choose peace in the interest of Rivers State.
Odey added, “We are prepared both in logistics, personnel, and guidelines. But the success of any election ultimately lies in the conduct of political actors and their supporters.
“The Peace Accord underscores a collective understanding that elections should not be a declaration of war, but a contest of ideas and service.”
In his remarks, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, acknowledged that elections often come with challenges but maintained that the state is currently peaceful.
CP Adepoju urged stakeholders to discourage their supporters from engaging in violence and assured that the police will take all necessary measures to ensure that voters can freely exercise their franchise.
“We all know the nature of election in Rivers State. But for some time now, we know that Rivers has been very, very calm.
“I know Rivers people are very peaceful people. So, we want all stakeholders, party members, and candidates that would participate in this election to ensure that they tell their boys.
“Everyone that needs to participate should ensure that the election is very peaceful.
“We have all it takes to ensure that it’s very peaceful.
“All the service commanders here, you know that we are under a state of emergency, and we are all working together as a team to ensure Rivers is peaceful.
“And the election that’s going to be held on the 30th of this month is going to be very peaceful. So, we need your cooperation.
“We are here to ensure that all parties and stakeholders that are going to participate sign the peace agreement,” he added.
Daily Post reports that while heads of security agencies were present, only five of the eighteen registered political parties attended the signing of the Peace Accord.
The parties are the Social Democratic Party, SDP; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Labour Party; the Tony Okocha faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC; and the Young Party, YP.
