President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the electoral process should never be approached as a “do-or-die affair.”
The President made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of the National Peace Accord for the 2027 elections, an initiative organised by the National Peace Committee in collaboration with The Kukah Centre.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu commended the National Peace Committee for its continued efforts in promoting peaceful and issue-based political engagement since 2014. He specifically acknowledged the contributions of the committee’s Chairman and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah in fostering dialogue and political stability.
The President observed that election periods in Nigeria have often been characterised by tension and uncertainty due to the intense competition for political power. However, he noted that the country has made notable progress in strengthening its electoral system through reforms and technological innovations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the introduction of the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic card readers has helped reduce electoral malpractice, including ballot stuffing and ballot snatching, while increasing public confidence in the voting process.
Tinubu stated that these reforms have empowered voters by ensuring that their votes carry greater weight and have also compelled politicians to become more accountable to the electorate.
He pointed to recent governorship elections conducted in states such as Anambra, Ekiti and Osun as evidence of Nigeria’s growing ability to organise more transparent and credible elections.
Describing the Peace Accord as a significant commitment to national unity and democratic stability, the President urged political actors to place the interests of the country above personal ambitions and partisan considerations.
He encouraged candidates to focus their campaigns on policies, ideas and programmes capable of improving the lives of citizens rather than exploiting ethnic, religious or regional differences.
Tinubu further pledged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would uphold the principles of the accord by rejecting violence, hate speech, misinformation and any form of incitement capable of undermining national peace.
He emphasised that political competition should not create divisions among Nigerians, reminding stakeholders that regardless of electoral outcomes, the country must remain the ultimate beneficiary of the democratic process.
