Political Parties Sign Peace Agreement Ahead of 2027 Elections

Political parties and candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections signed the First National Peace Accord on Tuesday. This agreement focuses on issue-based campaigns for the 2027 general elections.

The parties and candidates agreed to avoid violence, hate speech, personal attacks, misinformation, and any actions that could harm the electoral process.

The signing event took place in Abuja, organized by the National Peace Committee with support from The Kukah Centre. It happened just before the official start of campaigns for the upcoming elections.

Notably absent from the ceremony were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. They are the presidential candidates for the African Democratic Congress and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, respectively.

President Bola Tinubu, who is running for re-election with the All Progressives Congress, sent Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to represent him.

Several political leaders and presidential candidates attended, including the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan. The Chairman of the National Peace Committee, former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, was represented by former Chief of Defence Staff General Martin Luther Agwai.

This signing took place a day before public campaigns and rallies were set to start, as stated in INEC’s revised timetable.

The electoral commission scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027. The governorship and State House of Assembly elections will follow on February 6, 2027.

Speaking for Tinubu, Akume urged political leaders to prioritize national interest over personal or party goals. He emphasized that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die situation.

Akume praised the National Peace Committee for its peace initiatives since 2014. He highlighted the committee's role in encouraging political parties and candidates to focus on peaceful and issue-based campaigns.

“Signing this peace accord is a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people that we, as leaders, will put the nation’s interests above personal or partisan ambitions,” Tinubu stated.

He acknowledged the tension that comes with political contests in Nigeria. He mentioned that there has been notable progress in managing elections, especially with the use of technology by INEC.

Tinubu pointed out the introduction of Permanent Voter Cards, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, and electronic accreditation as improvements that have built confidence in the electoral system.

He also called for political parties to avoid exploiting ethnic and religious sentiments during their campaigns.

“It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing missions for our country. We may exchange occasional political jabs, but as members of the same household, we must never resort to divisive and primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power.

“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people,” he urged.

Tinubu assured that the APC would follow the peace accord and reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, and incitement. He mentioned the dangers of using artificial intelligence and social media to spread false information.

“We are committed to peaceful, transparent elections that will strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and our nation’s prosperity,” he said.

INEC Chairman Amupitan called the event more than just a ceremony. He said the accord showed a commitment by political actors to set ethical boundaries before campaigns start.

He noted the significance of the timing, as it was just before campaigns began.

“Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, marks the statutory commencement of public campaigns and rallies for the 2027 general election.

“Before the first campaign flag is unfurled, before the first rally is staged, and before political rhetoric fills our public space, it is necessary that those who seek to lead this nation first gather to establish the ethical boundaries of their contest,” he explained.

Amupitan said Nigerians expect a credible electoral process with campaigns that focus on solving the country's problems instead of personal attacks.

He shared that recent findings from the National Peace Committee’s Election Security Information Hub indicated a worrying rise in hate speech, toxic polarization, misinformation, and personality-driven political discourse.

Amupitan said this issue needs urgent attention as parties prepare for what could be one of the toughest elections since 1999.

He urged candidates to focus on the economy, national security, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social inclusion.

“Electoral contests in a constitutional democracy are not total wars; they are competitive job interviews before the electorate. Nigerians do not want insults; they want solutions,” he stated.

Amupitan warned political parties against declaring election victories too early and misusing digital platforms for unverified information.

He mentioned that the rise of social media and artificial intelligence has created new challenges for managing elections, especially with the spread of false information.

The Professor of Law challenged presidential candidates and party leaders to ensure their supporters and campaign teams respect the peace accord.

“Leadership attained at the expense of public peace, institutional integrity, or human life is a hollow victory,” he cautioned.

He assured political parties that INEC has no preferred candidate and will work to ensure a fair competition for all.

“For the Commission, our moral authority to demand decorum from political actors rests squarely on our own administrative and technological preparedness,” he concluded.