President Bola Tinubu and 16 other presidential candidates signed a National Peace Accord on Tuesday to ensure non-violent campaigns for the 2027 elections [1].
The agreement comes as presidential campaigns officially began this week. The pact aims to prevent electoral violence and discourage the use of ethnic or primordial sentiments to sway voters [2].
Signatories to the agreement included President Tinubu, former presidential candidate Peter Obi, and activist Omoyele Sowore [3]. In total, 17 candidates signed the document [1]. The participants pledged to focus their campaigns on policy issues rather than divisive rhetoric.
One participant said, "In the spirit of the accord we have just signed, we must conduct ourselves in ways that strengthen, not tear, the fabric of our society" [4].
Despite the formal agreement, some candidates expressed skepticism regarding the impact of the signing. Omoyele Sowore said the process was a "ritual" [3].
The accord is intended to serve as a framework for the 2027 general elections [2]. By signing the pact, the candidates have publicly committed to a peaceful transition of power, and the protection of democratic norms during the campaign cycle.
“"In the spirit of the accord we have just signed, we must conduct ourselves in ways that strengthen, not tear, the fabric of our society."”
The signing of a peace pact is a recurring feature of Nigerian political cycles, intended to mitigate the risk of sectarian violence during high-stakes elections. While the agreement provides a diplomatic baseline for candidate behavior, the skepticism voiced by participants like Sowore suggests a gap between formal commitments and the actual political climate. The success of the accord will depend on whether candidates prioritize national stability over the strategic use of identity politics to mobilize their bases.
