Tinubu, Obi, Sowore, Kachikwu Sign Peace Accord Ahead of 2027 Elections

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presidential candidates Peter Obi, Dumebi Kachikwu, Omoyele Sowore and other political actors have signed the first National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections. The agreement, signed in Abuja on Tuesday, August 18, commits political parties and candidates to peaceful campaigns while rejecting violence, hate speech, misinformation and other actions capable of undermining the electoral process.

The signing came ahead of the commencement of public campaigns for the 2027 elections on Wednesday, August 19, with political actors urged to place national interest above personal and partisan ambitions. Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, was absent from the ceremony and did not send a representative.

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, was also absent, although his running mate, Lawal Daura, attended the event. President Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, urged political actors to exercise restraint and avoid exploiting ethnic, religious and other primordial sentiments in their pursuit of political power.

He acknowledged that political disagreements and competing visions were legitimate aspects of democracy but warned that campaigns must not threaten national unity. Tinubu urged presidential candidates and their supporters to make the 2027 election a contest of ideas, policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.

“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people and accelerate Nigeria’s journey from a developing nation to a first-world country,” he said. The President reaffirmed his commitment, and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to the Peace Accord, pledging that the ruling party would conduct its campaign in a manner that promotes peace and national stability.

He also condemned violence, hate speech, misinformation and incitement, particularly the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media to manipulate public opinion and inflame tensions.
“Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation, including through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, especially via social media,” Tinubu said.

He reminded politicians and their supporters that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair, stressing that Nigeria must remain the ultimate beneficiary regardless of the outcome. “Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner,” he added.

Speaking at the ceremony, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, urged Nigerians to hold politicians accountable for violating the commitments contained in the Peace Accord.

Obi said the agreement must be reflected in the conduct of political actors throughout and after the campaign, adding that candidates should demonstrate through their actions that they are fit to hold public office.

“As contestants, we must allow what we are going to do today to reflect in our activities during and after the campaign,” he said. The former Anambra State governor also condemned the violence recorded during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, which resulted in the deaths of some Nigerians.

He maintained that elections should not be won through violence, destruction of property or intimidation, urging political actors to pursue their ambitions through peaceful and democratic means. Obi further called on voters to scrutinise the conduct of political leaders and reject candidates who disregard the commitments made under the National Peace Accord.