In a bid to promote peaceful and credible elections, presidential candidates and national chairmen of major political parties have signed the first National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections in Abuja.
The accord, organised by the National Peace Committee, commits political parties and candidates to peaceful campaigns, responsible conduct and respect for the electoral process amid concerns over electoral violence and rising political tensions.
The pact was signed by President Bola Tinubu, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and African Action Congress candidate Omoyele Sowore, among other political actors and representatives of several parties.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu urged politicians to make the 2027 election a contest of ideas and policies, warning against the use of ethnic and religious sentiments to gain political power.
He said political disagreements were a normal part of democracy but should not be allowed to threaten national unity, while reaffirming the APC’s commitment to rejecting violence, hate speech and the manipulation of public opinion.
“In the spirit of the accord we have just signed, we must conduct ourselves in ways that strengthen, not tear, the fabric of our society.
“It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing visions 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 or primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power,” the president said.
Obi also called for peaceful, issue-based campaigns, urging politicians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the offices they seek. He also appealed to political actors to ensure that no Nigerian dies because of an election.
“We have a peaceful, issue-based campaign. We must, for the sake of this country, ensure that our conduct reflects the office we’re seeking, our behaviour. We must do the right thing and campaign on issues that Nigerians are going through today,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor also called for the remembrance of those who lost their lives during the recent Osun governorship election.
“Let us not forget those who died in ensuring that the election in Osun was achieved, the way it went. We should visit them, console their families, remain prayerful and conduct ourselves in a way that in our democracy, nobody needs to die for an election. It is painful, and I wish it never happens again,” he added.
However, Sowore dismissed the accord as a “ritual”, citing deaths recorded during the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
He argued that previous peace agreements had failed to prevent violence and called instead for a “Justice Accord” with clear sanctions for candidates and parties that violate its provisions.