morganable politics/elections
Among those who signed the pact were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi; the Social Democratic Party candidate, Adewole Adebayo; and the African Action Congress candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
KaNo —
Political parties and presidential and National Assembly candidates on Tuesday signed the first National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to conduct issue-based campaigns and shun violence, hate speech, misinformation and other actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.
The accord was signed in Abuja at a high-level ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre, barely 24 hours before the statutory commencement of public campaigns and rallies.
The event brought together key stakeholders in the electoral process, including the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan; political party leaders; presidential candidates; lawmakers; and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. Members of the diplomatic community and civil society organisations were also in attendance.
Among those who signed the pact were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi; the Social Democratic Party candidate, Adewole Adebayo; and the African Action Congress candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Other signatories included the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Labour Party presidential candidate Donald Duke; Peoples Redemption Party candidate Chibuzor Okereke; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; and the PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, alongside other party officials and candidates.
However, notable political figures were absent from the ceremony, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who is contesting under the Allied Peoples’ Movement.
The Chairman of the National Peace Committee, former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), was represented at the event by a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Agwai (retd.).
The signing ceremony comes against the backdrop of heightened political activities and rising public expectations ahead of the 2027 elections, with key national issues such as economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and infrastructure deficits expected to dominate campaign discussions.
Elections To Hold In January
According to INEC’s timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu acknowledged that political campaigns often involve intense competition and disagreements but stressed that such differences should not threaten national unity.
“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 national family, we must never resort to divisive sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power,” he added.
“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people,” he said.
He further assured that the All Progressives Congress remained committed to peaceful and transparent elections, rejecting violence, hate speech and misinformation, including the misuse of digital platforms and artificial intelligence.
Tinubu Commends National Peace Committee
Tinubu also commended the National Peace Committee for its sustained role in promoting peaceful elections since 2014, noting that its interventions have contributed to reducing political tensions during electoral cycles.
He highlighted improvements in election management by INEC, citing the introduction of Permanent Voter Cards, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic accreditation processes as measures that have strengthened transparency and public confidence.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan, described the signing of the accord as a critical step in defining the ethical boundaries of the 2027 election before campaigns officially begin.
“Tomorrow marks the statutory commencement of public campaigns and rallies. Before the first campaign flag is unfurled and before political rhetoric fills our public space, it is necessary that those who seek to lead this nation gather to establish the ethical boundaries of their contest,” he said.
Amupitan noted that Nigerians expect campaigns to address pressing national issues rather than descend into personal attacks or divisive rhetoric.
According to him, findings from the National Peace Committee’s Election Security Information Hub indicate a growing trend of personality-driven politics and disinformation, which could undermine the credibility of the electoral process if left unchecked.
He urged candidates to make the economy, national security, infrastructure, healthcare, education and social inclusion the focal points of their campaigns.
“Electoral contests in a constitutional democracy are not wars; they are competitive job interviews before the electorate. Nigerians do not want insults; they want solutions,” Amupitan said.
Amupitan Warns Against Premature Declaration Of Victory
He noted that advances in artificial intelligence and digital communication have introduced new challenges, including foreign information interference and the rapid spread of false narratives.
Amupitan called on candidates and their campaign organisations to ensure that their supporters adhere strictly to the provisions of the peace accord.
“Leadership attained at the expense of public peace, institutional integrity or human life is a hollow victory,” he warned.
Goodwill messages from members of the diplomatic community reinforced the importance of peaceful elections in sustaining Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Representatives of the European Union and Switzerland emphasised the need for political tolerance, respect for democratic institutions and adherence to the rule of law.
Analysts say the success of the peace accord will depend largely on the commitment of political actors and their supporters to uphold its principles throughout the campaign period and beyond.
As campaigns commence nationwide, the agreement sets a tone for what stakeholders hope will be a peaceful, issue-driven electoral process, even as concerns persist over the potential impact of misinformation, economic pressures and security challenges on the conduct of the 2027 polls.
