Presidential candidates and national chairmen of major political parties on Tuesday signed the first National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who signed alongside the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and African Action Congress candidate Omoyele Sowore personally signed the accord.
Other political parties that participated included the Labour Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance, National Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, Social Democratic Party, Youth Party, Young Progressives Party and Zenith Labour Party.
The ceremony was organised by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and was held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The accord is aimed at promoting peaceful campaigns and reducing political violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, Sowore described the peace accord as a “ritual”, citing deaths 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 questioned the effectiveness of previous peace accords, alleging that individuals who signed them had later been involved in violence.
Sowore called for a “Justice Accord” that would impose sanctions on candidates and political parties that violate the commitments contained in the agreement.
Meanwhile, Obi called on politicians to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns, saying their conduct should reflect the offices 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 urged Nigerians not to forget those who lost their lives during the recent Osun governorship election.
He called for support and consolation for the victims’ families, stressing that no Nigerian should have to die because of an election.
The ceremony also featured goodwill messages from the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot; and Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff.
National Assembly and governorship candidates, party chairmen, presidential candidates, the INEC chairman and the Inspector-General of Police also participated in the formal signing.
