President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) have signed the national peace accord ahead of the 2027 general election.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, with representatives of other presidential, governorship and National Assembly candidates also in attendance.
Political party chairmen and other prominent political figures were present at the event, alongside Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who delivered the President’s address.
Akume commended the National Peace Committee (NPC), particularly former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for organising the event and sustaining the peace initiative since 2014.
He noted that Nigerian elections had historically generated tension because of the fierce competition for political power.
“Since 1999, every election period has brought its share of anxiety because of the nature of our politics and the intense competition for power by political actors,” he said.
However, the SGF acknowledged improvements in electoral transparency and election management, particularly through the increasing application of technology.
“While politics and the contest of power can be loud, and often create tension among politicians, we must acknowledge the progress we have made in our electoral process in terms of transparency and election management by INEC,” he added.
“With the aid of technology, INEC has recorded tremendous improvement with every election cycle.
“These instruments have restored power to the voters who are now sure that their votes will count. Politicians are now more accountable to the people because votes count.”
Akume described the peace accord as a commitment by political leaders to prioritise the country’s interests over individual political ambitions.
“We have gathered today to commit ourselves to a peaceful and transparent electoral process. Signing this peace accord is a pledge to the Nigerian people that we as leaders will put the nation’s interest above personal ambition,” he said.
He also called on politicians to avoid inflammatory statements and refrain from exploiting religious and ethnic sentiments for political gain.
“We may exchange occasional political jabs, but as members of the same household, nation and family, we must never resort to divisive, primordial sentiments, religion and ethnicity as tools for seeking power,” he said.
“Let us campaign on superior arguments and debate issues and promote the best policies.
“Election is not a do-or-die affair, win or lose, our country Nigeria must be the ultimate winner.”
Obi speaks on his 2027 ambition
Speaking at the ceremony, Obi said his participation in the political process was driven by his desire to reform it.
“Because I want to change the process, I have to go through it. You can’t answer his excellency without being an excellent person. The process that will make you answer his excellency should be excellent,” Obi said.
The NDC candidate also said he remained confident about the 2027 election.
“I don’t have any fears ahead of the election,” he said.
Obi urged Nigerians to reject any political candidate who violates the terms and principles contained in the peace accord.