Presidential, governorship and National Assembly candidates contesting the 2027 general elections have signed a Peace Accord, pledging to pursue peaceful, issue-based campaigns and shun violence, hate speech and disinformation before, during and after the polls.
The accord was signed on Tuesday in Abuja by presidential candidates and leaders of political parties, alongside candidates seeking governorship and National Assembly seats.
Among the presidential candidates who signed the agreement were President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress; and Adewale Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The agreement was organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC), chaired by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), as part of efforts to reduce political tension, promote social cohesion and ensure that the outcome of the elections reflects the will of Nigerians.
Speaking at the event, Abubakar urged political parties, candidates, campaign councils and their spokespersons to focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians rather than personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric.
Represented by a member of the committee, Martin Agwai, the former Head of State said the NPC had facilitated 30 peace accords since 2015, including five national accords ahead of the 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections and 25 others during sub-national and off-cycle polls.
He said the introduction of an issue-based peace accord in 2019 was aimed at shifting political campaigns away from sentiments, name-calling and character assassination towards debates on policies and programmes.
According to him, political campaigns over the years had increasingly lost “dignity and decency,” creating a toxic atmosphere capable of inciting citizens against the government, political parties and opposing candidates.
With the 2027 general elections five months away and official campaigns set to commence on Wednesday, Abubakar appealed to political actors to uphold the commitments contained in the accord.
“Campaign based on issues that are of significant concern to Nigerians. Avoid the spread of false and fake news, personal attacks and insults,” he said.
He also urged politicians and their supporters to promote tolerance, respect opposing views, maintain civility in public discourse and comply fully with both the spirit and provisions of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the Programme Officer of the Kukah Centre, Asabe Ndahi, said findings from previous election cycles showed widespread violations of the Peace Accord, particularly provisions requiring political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns.
Presenting findings on emerging national issues, Ndahi said Clause One of the accord, which commits parties to issue-based campaigns, recorded a 43 per cent breach.
She added that clauses prohibiting fake news and disinformation were violated by as much as 90 per cent, while provisions against insults and violence were also breached.
According to her, spokespersons accounted for 58 per cent of violations relating to the conduct of issue-based campaigns.
She said 32 of Nigeria’s 36 states recorded violations, with Kaduna, Plateau, Kano, Lagos, Rivers and Benue identified among the most affected.
Ndahi called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to ensure that the 2027 campaigns were conducted peacefully.
She urged candidates to debate policies and ideas, while calling on campaign teams and supporters to mobilise responsibly without intimidation or violence.
Ndahi particularly charged party and candidate spokespersons to exercise restraint, provide timely and verified information and avoid inflammatory statements.
She also called on the media and civil society organisations to verify information before publication or amplification and pursue evidence-based advocacy.
Security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission were equally urged to maintain neutrality, impartiality, transparency and consistency in enforcing electoral laws.
The signing of the accord comes as political parties prepare to formally begin campaigns on Wednesday, with stakeholders hoping the commitments made in Abuja will translate into a more peaceful and issue-driven electoral process.
(NAN)
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