President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi, Omoyele Sowore and other political leaders have signed the first National Peace Accord on issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The agreement was signed in Abuja on Tuesday at an event organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre, ahead of the official commencement of political campaigns on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
The accord commits political parties, presidential and National Assembly candidates to peaceful campaigns and urges them to reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, personal attacks and other actions capable of undermining the electoral process.
Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, while Obi represented the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
Other presidential candidates who signed the agreement included the Social Democratic Party’s Adewole Adebayo and African Action Congress candidate, Sowore.
The event was attended by the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan; Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; political party leaders, lawmakers, members of the diplomatic community and other stakeholders.
However, some prominent political figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, were absent.
Tinubu urges issue-based campaigns
Speaking through Akume, President Tinubu urged political parties and candidates to place national interest above personal and partisan ambitions.
He warned political actors against turning the struggle for political power into a do-or-die affair, urging them to avoid using ethnic and religious sentiments to mobilise voters.
Tinubu called on candidates to focus their campaigns on policies, programmes and practical solutions to the challenges confronting Nigerians.
The President also pledged the commitment of the All Progressives Congress to the peace accord, saying the party would reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, incitement and digital manipulation.
INEC warns against political violence
The INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, described the peace accord as an important step towards defining the ethical boundaries of the 2027 electoral contest.
Amupitan said the official commencement of campaigns on Wednesday, August 19, made the timing of the agreement significant.
He urged political parties and candidates to use the campaign period to address issues such as the economy, insecurity, healthcare, education, infrastructure and social inclusion instead of engaging in personal attacks.
According to him, political contests should not be treated as warfare but as a competition for public office.
The INEC chairman also warned against premature victory claims and the circulation of unverified information, particularly through social media and artificial intelligence platforms.
He disclosed that INEC was preparing to deploy about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general elections across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.
Amupitan assured political parties that INEC would provide a level playing field for all contestants.
Obi questions need for peace accord
Peter Obi said political leaders should not require a peace agreement before conducting themselves responsibly.
He argued that candidates seeking public office should demonstrate exemplary conduct before being elected.
Obi said his participation was motivated by his desire to change the electoral system from within.
He also expressed concern about the integrity of the 2027 elections, urging authorities to ensure that Nigerians’ votes count.
The former Anambra State governor called for accountability over deaths recorded during the recent Osun governorship election and urged political actors to ensure that nobody dies because of an election.
Sowore demands enforceable sanctions
Meanwhile, AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore criticised the peace accord, describing it as a ritual without effective sanctions.
Sowore questioned the effectiveness of previous peace agreements, citing alleged violence and deaths associated with the recent Osun governorship election.
He called for what he described as a “justice accord” that would impose enforceable consequences on candidates and political actors who violate the agreement.
Sowore also raised concerns about the electronic transmission and uploading of results from the Osun election.
Police promise neutrality
The Nigeria Police Force pledged to remain neutral throughout the electoral process.
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Umar Shehu, said the police were not interested in which candidate or party won the election.
He said the priority of the police was to ensure that eligible Nigerians could vote without intimidation or fear.
The police urged political parties and their supporters to cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions capable of triggering violence.
2027 election dates
According to INEC’s revised timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
The National Peace Committee said the accord was designed to encourage political actors to campaign on policies and programmes, respect electoral institutions, protect voters and reject hate speech, misinformation and violence.
With campaigns officially beginning today, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, political parties and candidates are expected to take their messages to voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
