ABUJA — The head of Nigeria’s election body has called on political parties and candidates contesting the 2027 general election to stick to the commitments made in a national peace agreement, warning that the integrity of the vote rests heavily on the behavior of political actors.
Speaking in the capital, Abuja, at the official signing of the First National Peace Accord, Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warned against the use of violent rhetoric, private armed squads, and online disinformation ahead of the campaign season.
The Peace Accord comes just days after the conclusion of the governorship election in Osun state.
Public campaigning for the 2027 vote formally begins on Wednesday, 19 August 2026. Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to take place on 16 January 2027, followed by governorship and state assembly elections on 6 February 2027.
”Before the first campaign flag is unfurled, before the first rally is staged, and before political rhetoric fills our public space, it is necessary that those who seek to lead this nation first gather to establish the ethical boundaries of their contest,” Prof. Amupitan told politicians and party officials gathered at the ceremony.
He stressed that signing the document would mean little if political leaders failed to ensure their supporters and local campaign managers respected its terms on the ground.
”It is not the signatures written on this accord today that preserve democracy; it is the character of the leaders who hold the pen,” he added.
Focus on policy, not attacks
The peace accord, managed by Nigeria’s National Peace Committee (NPC), aims to bind political parties to policy-focused campaigning rather than personal attacks, character assassination, or ethnic division.
Representing the NPC chairman, former military head of state Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, retired Gen. Martin Luther Agwai highlighted that the committee has overseen 30 peace agreements at national and state levels since 2015.
Gen. Agwai urged political figures to compete fairly, debate constructively, and refrain from inciting violence or spreading hate speech.
Addressing security concerns, the Nigeria Police Force assured the public of its neutrality throughout the election period. Deputy Inspector-General Umar Nadada said security agencies would collaborate with INEC to protect political activities, but stressed that political leaders must take responsibility for their followers’ conduct.
”You cannot publicly preach peace while actively encouraging violence,” DIG Nadada warned, appealing to politicians not to enlist young people into political violence.
Elections in Africa’s most populous nation have historically been marred by tension and political clashes, making the peace accord a key milestone in the build-up to polling day.
Add Comment