President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi and Omoyele Sowore have joined other political leaders in signing a national peace accord designed to promote peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections. The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Abuja at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, in an event attended by representatives of […]
President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi and Omoyele Sowore have joined other political leaders in signing a national peace accord designed to promote peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Abuja at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, in an event attended by representatives of presidential candidates, governorship and National Assembly candidates, party leaders and other political stakeholders.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan was among those present as political actors publicly committed themselves to a peaceful electoral process.
Representing President Tinubu, SGF George Akume said the peace accord should serve as a pledge to Nigerians that political leaders would put the interest of the country ahead of personal ambitions.
Akume said Nigeria’s election periods had often been accompanied by anxiety because of the fierce competition for political power, but noted that improvements in electoral technology had strengthened the country’s electoral system.
He said the growing use of technology by INEC had helped restore confidence among voters by improving the credibility of the voting process and ensuring that political actors were increasingly accountable to the electorate.
The SGF also called on politicians to resist the temptation to exploit religious and ethnic sentiments during campaigns. He said political disagreements were inevitable but should never degenerate into actions capable of dividing the country.
He urged candidates to campaign through ideas, policies and constructive debate rather than inflammatory rhetoric, insisting that victory at the polls should never come at the expense of national unity.
Obi, who was among the political figures at the ceremony, said his decision to participate in the electoral process was motivated by his desire to change it from within.
He said candidates aspiring to lead the country must themselves demonstrate excellence and integrity, adding that he was not afraid of the 2027 election.
The NDC presidential candidate also sent a message to Nigerian voters, urging them not to support politicians who breach the commitments contained in the peace accord.
The event marked another major step in preparations for the 2027 elections, coming at a time when political parties are already mobilising supporters and negotiating alliances ahead of the presidential and legislative contests.
With the election season expected to generate intense political competition, the signatories are now under pressure to translate their public commitments into peaceful campaigns and conduct before, during and after the polls.