Political parties and presidential and National Assembly candidates have signed a national peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, committing to issue-based campaigns and a peaceful electoral process.
The agreement, signed in Abuja on Tuesday, was facilitated by the National Peace Committee in collaboration with The Kukah Centre, a day before the official commencement of campaigns.
Under the accord, political actors pledged to reject violence, hate speech, personal attacks, misinformation and other actions capable of undermining the elections.
However, some prominent opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, were absent from the ceremony. Both are presidential candidates on the platforms of the African Democratic Congress and Nigeria Democratic Congress respectively.
President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking re-election on the All Progressives Congress platform, was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, and several party leaders and presidential candidates also attended.
Representing National Peace Committee Chairman and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, was former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai.
Speaking for President Tinubu, Akume urged politicians to prioritise national interest over personal and partisan ambitions, stressing that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die contest.
“Signing this peace accord is a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people that we, as leaders, will put the nation’s interests above personal or partisan ambitions,” Tinubu said.
The president also called on political parties to avoid exploiting ethnic and religious sentiments during campaigns and instead focus on policies and ideas.
“It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing missions for our country. We may exchange occasional political jabs, but as members of the same household, the same national family, we must never resort to divisive and primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power.
“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people,” he said.
Tinubu further pledged the APC’s commitment to the accord, including rejecting violence, hate speech, misinformation and incitement through social media and artificial intelligence.
The INEC chairman described the accord as a commitment by political actors to establish ethical standards for the 2027 contest.
Amupitan said the signing was particularly significant as campaigns were set to begin on Wednesday, August 19, in line with INEC’s revised timetable.
He urged candidates to address key national concerns, including the economy, security, infrastructure, healthcare, education and social inclusion.
“Electoral contests in a constitutional democracy are not total wars; they are competitive job interviews before the electorate. Nigerians do not want insults; they want solutions,” he said.
According to INEC, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
