The police, civil society, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been urged to reassure the public of a peaceful election despite political noise.

With the Edo State governorship election looming on September 21, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA), urgently calls on voters to repudiate fear-mongering tactics used by politicians.

His statement follows concerns over the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) refusal to sign the peace accord.

Nwagwu described the controversy as a "partisan tactic" to create fear and distract citizens from key electoral issues.

He explained that the peace accord is a moral, not legal, document that promotes peaceful conduct among political parties.

"The peace accord is not legally binding but a persuasive initiative.

"Its absence does not equate to lawlessness or violence," Nwagwu said.

He emphasised that Nigeria's electNigeria'sgoverned by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, not by voluntary agreements.

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Nwagwu further highlighted the responsibility of the police and security agencies in ensuring a peaceful election.

He stated that the police must deploy adequate personnel and resources to prevent violence. Any failure would not stem from the absence of a peace accord but from a lack of commitment to their lawful duties.

Nwagwu called on the police, civil society, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reassure the public of a peaceful election, despite political noise.

He stressed the importance of voter confidence and urged citizens to resist intimidation.

"Citizens must "remain confident in the electoral system and refuse to be intimidated by political narratives designed to suppress voter turnout," Nwagwu concluded.