By Opeyemi Adelakun
Presidential candidates and national chairmen of major political parties have signed the first National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, with participants pledging to promote peaceful and credible political campaigns.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre in Abuja during a ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.).
President Bola Tinubu was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who signed the accord alongside the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and the African Action Congress candidate, Omoyele Sowore, also signed the document personally.
Representatives of several other political parties, including the Labour Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance, National Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, Social Democratic Party, Youth Party, Young Progressives Party and Zenith Labour Party, participated in the ceremony.
The signing brought together presidential candidates, party leaders, National Assembly candidates, governorship candidates and other political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 polls.
The event featured a formal signing session during which candidates and party leaders approached the table individually to endorse the agreement.
Speaking during the programme, the master of ceremonies said the accord represented a commitment by political actors to ensure that Nigeria moves forward peacefully despite differences over governance.
He stressed that the agreement should go beyond a ceremonial exercise and represent a genuine commitment by the candidates and parties.
However, Sowore expressed reservations about the effectiveness of the peace accord, describing it as a ritual and citing the violence recorded during the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
“I don’t have faith in it. I’m bringing faith to the system. Those are two different things,” Sowore said.
He alleged that individuals who had signed previous peace agreements in Osun State later became involved in violence.
Sowore therefore called for a “Justice Accord” that would impose sanctions on political parties and candidates who violate the commitments contained in the peace agreement.
He argued that peace agreements would have little impact if there were no consequences for those who breached them.
Obi, on his part, appealed to politicians to ensure their campaigns remained peaceful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians.
He urged candidates seeking public office to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the responsibilities attached to the positions they seek.
“We have a peaceful, issue-based campaign. We must, for the sake of this country, ensure that our conduct reflects the office we’re seeking,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor also called on political actors and Nigerians to remember those who died during the recent Osun governorship election.
He urged politicians to console the families of the victims and ensure that future elections are conducted without loss of lives.
According to him, no Nigerian should have to die because of an election.
The National Peace Committee has facilitated similar agreements during previous election cycles as part of efforts to reduce political tension and promote democratic stability.
The committee is chaired by former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The programme also featured goodwill messages from the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot; and Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff.
Leave a Reply