By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed its readiness to stop the act of vote trading, intimidation and violence during the governorship polls to be held in the 21 local government areas in Anambra State on November 8, 2025.

This was stated by the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr Yusuf M. Dantalle, during a stakeholders’ engagement and voter sensitization press conference held in Awka on Wednesday.

He urged voters to come out en masse to vote for the candidate of their choice without fear or favour.

Dantalle, who was represented by the IPAC National Publicity Secretary and National Woman leader of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Mrs Oge Chinyere Kalu, gave assurance that votes will not only count, but would be protected.

He said: "IPAC would provide necessary supports to INEC to ensure that the poll is credible and fair because voting without inducements or intimidation would promote good governance and strengthen democracy.

"I urge the candidates and political parties to maintain issue based campaigns, sensitise the electorate and allow their will to prevail at the end because leadership is earned through ballots, not coercion or manipulation.

“Election is not war. It is a democratic contest of ideas and vision. Therefore, everyone must prioritise issue-based campaigns, maturity, tolerance and sportsmanship.

"We must place. Anambra’s interest above personal ambition. We must reject hate speech, incitement or any act that could undermine Anambra’s peace and unity. All the stakeholders are invited to make the election credible, responsible and secured."

The IPAC National boss further called on the electoral umpire to strictly adhere to the Electoral Act 2022 as well as INEC guidelines and constitutional provisions for neutrality, inclusivity, transparency and professionalism to guarantee a level playing.

In their different speeches, the duo of the National Chairman of National Rescue Movement (NRM) and IPAC Director-General, Dr Prince Chinedu Obi, described the briefing as a tradition to sensitize stakeholders during elections so as to empower them to mobilise members and supporters towards a successful poll.

Earlier in their remarks, the State Chairman of IPAC and ZLP, Comrade Uchenna Ugwuorji, thanked the national leadership.

They gave assurance to the people that they would vote and mobilise team members to vote wisely on the day of election.