Presidential candidates, national chairmen of major political parties, and key electoral stakeholders on Tuesday signed the first National Peace Accord for the 2027 general elections, committing to peaceful, issue-based campaigns and respect for democratic institutions.
The ceremony, organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre, took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. It was attended by representatives of political parties, electoral officials, security agencies, and members of the diplomatic community.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who signed the accord alongside the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda.
Among those who signed in person were Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC); and Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Other parties represented included the Labour Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance, National Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, Youth Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith Labour Party, among others. National Assembly and governorship candidates, party chairmen, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Inspector-General of Police also appended their signatures.
The National Peace Accord commits signatories and their supporters to peaceful political engagement, rejection of violence, hate speech, and misinformation, respect for electoral institutions, and a focus on policy-driven competition rather than personal attacks or identity-based polarisation.
The National Peace Committee is chaired by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, with Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah serving as convener. General Abubakar noted that the Committee has facilitated 30 peace accords since 2015 and emphasised the need for candidates to compete on ideas, policies, and programmes.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan described the signing as timely, coming on the eve of the official start of public campaigns on August 19. He stressed that electoral contests should be “competitive job interviews before the electorate” and a “marketplace of ideas,” warning against the spread of false information and personality-driven rhetoric.
Representing President Tinubu, SGF George Akume affirmed the APC’s commitment to the principles of the accord and called for campaigns centred on policies that expand opportunities for Nigerians.
The signing occurred amid a competitive political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls, with presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections for February 6, 2027. Notably, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were absent from the ceremony.
The National Peace Accord aims to foster responsible political conduct and credible democratic competition as Nigeria prepares for one of its most closely watched election cycles.