President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presidential candidates Peter Obi, Dumebi Kachikwu, Omoyele Sowore and other political actors yesterday signed the first National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.
By this action, they have committed themselves to peaceful campaigns and rejected violence, hate speech and other acts capable of undermining the electoral process.
The accord was signed in Abuja ahead of the commencement of public campaigns for the 2027 elections today, August 19, with political parties and candidates urged to place national interest above personal and partisan ambitions.
However, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, was absent from the ceremony and did not send a representative. Although Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, was also absent, his running mate, Lawal Daura, attended the ceremony.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, urged political actors to exercise restraint and refrain from exploiting ethnic, religious and other primordial sentiments in their pursuit of political power.
Tinubu said political disagreements and competing visions were legitimate features of democracy, but warned that campaigns must not undermine national cohesion.
“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,” he said.
The president urged the candidates to make the 2027 campaigns a contest of ideas, policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.
“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people and accelerate Nigeria’s journey from a developing nation to a first-world country,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment, and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to the Peace Accord, declaring that the ruling party would conduct its campaign in a manner that promotes peace and national stability.
Tinubu also rejected violence, hate speech, misinformation and incitement, including the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media to manipulate public opinion or inflame tensions.
“Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation, including through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, especially via social media,” he said.
He reminded politicians and their supporters that elections were not a do-or-die affair, stressing that Nigeria must remain the ultimate winner irrespective of the outcome.
“Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner,” Tinubu added.
On his part, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, called on Nigerians to reject politicians who violate the commitments contained in the Peace Accord.
Obi said the agreement must be reflected in the conduct of political actors during and after the campaign, stressing that politicians should allow their actions to demonstrate their suitability for public office.
“As contestants, we must allow what we are going to do today to reflect in our activities during and after the campaign,” Obi said.
He condemned the violence recorded during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, which resulted in the deaths of innocent Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor insisted that elections must not be won through violence or destruction of property, urging politicians to pursue their ambitions through peaceful and democratic means.
Obi further urged the electorate to hold political leaders accountable for their conduct and reject candidates who disregard the commitments made under the Peace Accord.
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