2027: Tinubu, Obi, Atiku, others sign peace accord, vow issue-based campaigns

Ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections, presidential candidates and political party leaders have committed to a National Peace Accord. Signed in Abuja under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC) and The Kukah Centre, the agreement urges issue-based campaigns and a rejection of violence, hate speech, personal attacks, fake news, and ethnic or religious incitement. Organizers emphasized the accord's grounding in the Constitution, Electoral Act, and INEC guidelines, aiming to ensure political competition does not devolve into undermining democracy.

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You can’t answer ‘His Excellency’ without being an excellent person. So, the process that will make you answer ‘His Excellency’ should be excellent, and the only way to do it is to conduct yourself properly.

While the accord was signed by several prominent figures, the absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC) and Atiku Abubakar (ADC) was noted. Tinubu was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. Among those present were Peter Obi (NDC), Adewole Adebayo (SDP), and Omoyele Sowore (AAC). The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, also attended the ceremony.

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I don’t have any fear [going into next year’s election] except to say that, please, for the sake of the children of Nigeria, can we have an election where people’s votes will count?

Peter Obi, speaking before the signing, urged Nigerians to hold politicians accountable by voting out those who violate the accord. He stressed the importance of leaders demonstrating excellent character, stating, "You can’t answer ‘His Excellency’ without being an excellent person." Obi also called for credible elections where votes truly count, expressing concern over election-related deaths, such as those in the recent Osun State governorship election, and asserting that no Nigerian life should be lost over an election.

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