Presidential hopefuls contesting the 2027 general elections put their names to a National Peace Accord in Abuja on Tuesday, pledging to run campaigns built on issues rather than rancour. Those who signed undertook to shun violence, hate speech, personal attacks, fake news and any attempt to inflame ethnic or religious feeling as the official campaign season opens on Wednesday.
The ceremony was convened by the National Peace Committee working with The Kukah Centre. Organisers were at pains to stress that the document is not a photo opportunity. They said it is rooted in the Constitution, the Electoral Act, Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines and other laws that govern how elections are run in the country. The aim is to stop the scramble for power from sliding into intimidation, falsehoods and other conduct that could damage Nigeria’s democracy.
Not every leading name was in the room. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress were among those who stayed away. Tinubu was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Zoyols Blog notes that the accord is being presented as a practical check on the heat that usually builds once campaigns begin, with those present committing themselves, at least on paper, to a cleaner contest ahead of 2027.
