Presidential candidates and leadership of political parties contesting the 2027 general election signed a peace accord in Abuja on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
They all committed to peaceful, issue-based campaigns and the non-involvement in electoral violence before, during, and after the 2027 polls.
Some of the presidential candidates who signed were President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Peter Obi of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Adewale Adebayo of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Others were governorship and National Assembly candidates.
The peace agreement, organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the chairmanship of former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), aims to foster social cohesion, minimise political friction, and ensure that democratic choices reflected the will of the people.
In his remarks, Abubakar enjoined political parties, candidates, campaign councils, and their spokespersons to campaign based on issues of significant concerns to Nigerians.
Abubakar, who was represented by a member of the NPC, Martin Agwai, noted that since 2015, the committee had facilitated 30 peace accords, five at the national level before 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections.
He added that the committee also organised 25 peace accords at the sub-national levels, including state off-cycle elections.
Tinubu urges 2027 candidates to shun violence, ethnic politics
Abubakar noted that the issues-based peace accord established in 2019 was to promote political campaigns and rallies based on issues related to Nigeria rather than sentiment.
Abubakar said: “Now that the 2027 general election is five months away and the official commencement of campaign is tomorrow (Wednesday), the NPC is today committing all political parties, party chairmen, candidates and campaign spokespersons to peaceful political rallies, devoid of incitement, personal insults and abuse.
“Therefore, on behalf of all members of the NPC and all Nigerians, I am appealing to all political parties, party chairmen, candidates, campaign councils and their spokespersons to please campaign based on issues that are of significant concerns to Nigerians.
“Avoid the spread of false and fake news, personal attacks and insults. Promote respect and tolerance for differences of opinion, ensure decency and civility in public discourse and comply with the spirit and the letter of the accord.”
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