By Eshioromeh Sebastian
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday signed the National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that elections were not a do-or-die affair.
This is even as he urged political actors to campaign on competing governing visions rather than divisive ethnic or religious sentiments.
The President spoke in Abuja at the Peace Accord Signing Ceremony convened by the National Peace Committee (NPC), led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
Tinubu said the signing of the accord was a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people that political leaders would put the nation’s interest above personal or partisan ambitions.
“Elections are not a do-or-die affair,” Tinubu declared. “We are partners in the project of nation-building. Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner.”
The President commended the National Peace Committee for its steadfastness since 2014 in promoting peace accords that commit political parties and candidates to run non-violent, issue-based campaigns during national and off-cycle state elections.
“Our nation owes the NPC a debt of gratitude for your steadfastness since 2014 in promoting peace accords that commit political parties and candidates to run non-violent, issue-based campaigns during national and off-cycle state elections,” Tinubu said.
He acknowledged that every election period since Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999 had brought anxiety because of the intense competition for power by political actors.
However, the President noted significant progress in the electoral process, particularly with the introduction of technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Tinubu said the introduction of the Permanent Voters Card and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had eliminated voting manipulation, ballot stuffing, and ballot snatching at polling units.
“These improvements have restored power to the voters, who are now sure that their vote will count,” he said. “Politicians are now more accountable to the people because votes count.”
The President cited the off-season polls in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun States between October 2025 and August 15, 2026, as evidence of progress, noting that different parties won them and local and foreign observers described them as free, credible, and transparent.
“When the process and outcome are manifestly transparent, we see less post-election litigation in our courts,” Tinubu added.
The President called on all Nigerians, civil society organisations, foreign partners, and the media to join in deepening and building a stronger, more vibrant democratic society.
He said democracy was not just about periodic elections that get politicians into government positions, but about how citizens participate in the affairs of their nation, build trust in public institutions, engage civically, and work together for good governance and a more just and equitable society.
“In the spirit of the accord we have just signed, we must conduct ourselves in ways that strengthen—not tear—the fabric of our society,” Tinubu said.
He urged political actors to refrain from divisive or primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power, advocating instead for campaigns based on superior ideas and policies.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu committed himself and the All Progressives Congress to the tenets of the accord, rejecting violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation—including through artificial intelligence—and all forms of incitement, especially via social media.
“Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation—including through artificial intelligence—and all forms of incitement, especially via social media,” he said.
The President said the APC was committed to peaceful, transparent elections that would strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and national prosperity.
He encouraged other political parties and political actors to do the same.
“As the campaign season kicks off, I commit myself and my party, the All Progressives Congress, to the tenets of this accord,” Tinubu said.
The event marked the formal signing of the peace accord by political parties and their candidates ahead of the January and February 2027 general elections.
General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in his remarks, commended the President and other political leaders for their commitment to peaceful elections and urged all parties to adhere to the spirit and letter of the accord.
The Sultan of Sokoto and Bishop Kukah also addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of national unity, tolerance, and the need for political actors to put the nation’s interest above personal ambitions.
The signing ceremony was attended by leaders of political parties, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.
The National Peace Committee, established in 2014, has been at the forefront of promoting peaceful elections in Nigeria, facilitating the signing of peace accords by political parties and candidates before general elections.
The 2027 general elections are scheduled to hold in January and February, with presidential and National Assembly elections expected to take place first, followed by governorship and state assembly polls.
Political parties have commenced campaigns ahead of the elections, with the Peace Accord signing serving as a formal commitment to non-violent, issue-based political contests.
The President’s remarks at the ceremony underscored his administration’s commitment to free, fair, and credible elections, as well as the consolidation of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Tinubu concluded his address by asking for God’s blessings on the nation.
“God bless you all. And may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the President said.
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