President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged political parties, candidates, and other signatories to the Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections to place national unity above divisive ethnic and religious sentiments while campaigning on competing ideas for Nigeria’s development.
The president made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the signing of the peace accord ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented him at the event. at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
In his remarks, President Tinubu said political disagreements and occasional jabs were natural during campaigns but cautioned that such contests must not undermine the fabric of society.
He urged political actors to campaign on superior ideas, debate issues, and promote policies capable of expanding opportunities for Nigerians and accelerating the country’s journey from a developing nation to a first-world country.
The president described the signing of the accord as a solemn pledge by political leaders to put the nation’s interest above personal or partisan ambitions and commit to a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
He thanked members of the National Peace Committee (NPC), particularly former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for convening the event, which precedes the commencement of political campaigns ahead of the January and February 2027 general elections.
President Tinubu commended the NPC for its steadfastness since 2014 in promoting peace accords that commit parties and candidates to non-violent, issue-based campaigns during national and off-cycle state elections.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, the president noted that since the country returned to democratic governance in 1999 under the stewardship of General Abubakar and his team, election periods had often generated anxiety because of the nature of politics and intense competition for power.
He further acknowledged progress in transparency and election management by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), noting that the use of technology had brought remarkable improvements to the electoral process.
President Tinubu said the introduction of the Permanent Voter Card and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had helped curb voting manipulation, ballot stuffing, and snatching at polling units, while restoring power to voters and making politicians more accountable to the people.
The president said recent polls had also demonstrated the capacity of Nigerians to conduct themselves with maturity and restraint, citing the off-season elections held in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun States between October 2025 and August 15, 2026.
He noted that different parties emerged victorious in the three elections, which local and foreign observers described as free, credible, and transparent, adding that manifestly transparent processes and outcomes resulted in less post-election litigation.
The Nigerian leader also called on citizens, civil society organisations, foreign partners, and the media to contribute to deepening democracy and building a stronger, more vibrant democratic society.
He stressed that democracy transcends periodic elections that bring politicians into government positions, describing it as citizens’ participation in national affairs, building trust in public institutions, civic engagement, and working together for good governance and a more just and equitable society.
As the campaign season begins, President Tinubu committed himself and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the tenets of the accord, rejecting violence, hate speech, misinformation, including through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, especially on social media.
He reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to peaceful and transparent elections that would strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and national development, while encouraging other parties and political actors to make the same commitment.
President Tinubu reminded contestants that elections are not a do-or-die affair, stressing that political actors remain partners in the project of nation-building and that, regardless of who wins or loses, Nigeria must be the ultimate winner.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
