With barely two weeks to the November 8, 2025 Anambra governorship election, the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) and the Anambra Peace and Mediation Working Committee have called for strong collaboration with road transport operators to ensure a peaceful and credible poll across the state.
During a courtesy visit to the Joint Transporters Forum, Anambra State chapter, on Tuesday, the groups identified transporters as key partners in maintaining order during the election, urging them not to allow politicians to use them to incite violence or manipulate the process.
‘Transporters Are Key to Peaceful Elections’
Speaking at the meeting, Oluwafemi Adebayo, Head of Research and Strategy at Kimpact Development Initiative, said the group’s mission is to promote peace and conflict prevention through civic education and pre-election risk assessments.
“The meeting with members of the Joint Transporters Forum is to encourage them to prioritise peace and avoid being used by politicians to foment trouble before, during, and after the election,” Adebayo explained.
“We also urge Ndi Anambra to come out in large numbers and vote for the candidate of their choice. A high voter turnout will strengthen democracy and prevent the low participation recorded in 2021.”
Call for Integrity and Professionalism
The State Representative of KDI and Secretary of the Anambra Peace and Mediation Committee, Ugochi Freeman, who led the delegation, stressed the critical role of transport workers in the electoral process, particularly in conveying sensitive materials and voters safely.
“Your role is crucial in ensuring the timely and secure movement of election materials. Please resist any attempt to use you for violence, rigging, or manipulation,” Freeman said.
“Anambra belongs to all of us. After the election, life continues. We must uphold integrity and stand by INEC’s guidelines. Professionalism and honesty will help build trust in our democracy.”
Transport Union Calls for Accountability
In his remarks, Reverend Elvis Okolie, President of the Joint Transporters Forum, Anambra State, commended the initiative but called on security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take firmer action against electoral violence and vote manipulation.
“The problem is not from the transport sector. Often, individuals are exploited and manipulated due to hardship and lack of opportunities,” Okolie noted.
“Security agencies and INEC must ensure accountability, while political leaders should act responsibly to maintain peace.”
Community and Stakeholders Reaffirm Commitment to Peace
The representative of the Hausa community in Anambra State, Alhaji Garba Haruna, also pledged support for the peace campaign, describing Anambra as a united and accommodating state.
“The transport forum can play a key role in ensuring a peaceful election. Let us work together to keep the peace,” Haruna stated.
Similarly, Donatus Ezeanuka, State Chairman of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), and Chief Okoli Chekwube Lucky, State Chairman of the Association of Taxi Cab Operators, assured that their members would operate in line with the law and avoid associations with touts or political thugs.
“We are law-abiding citizens and will ensure this advocacy reaches all our members,” they said in separate remarks.
Promoting Peace Ahead of the Polls
The peace advocacy, organisers say, is part of a broader initiative to reduce pre-election tension in Anambra and strengthen citizens’ trust in the electoral process.
Both KDI and the Anambra Peace and Mediation Working Committee have been engaging political parties, youth groups, and community leaders to promote non-violence, transparency, and voter participation ahead of the crucial November 8 poll.
“Our message is clear peace is the foundation for progress. When elections are peaceful, democracy wins,” Freeman concluded.
