By Ikechukwu Samuel
Nigeria’s journey toward the 2027 general elections has taken a significant step with the signing of a National Peace Accord in Abuja. While the accord emphasizes issue‑based campaigns and a rejection of violence, the shadow of insecurity looms large.
Between June 2025 and August 2026 alone, the National Peace Committee’s Election Security Information Hub recorded 2,510 security incidents across the country, underscoring the scale of the challenge ahead.
The incidents ranged from banditry and kidnapping to terrorism and political thuggery, with states such as Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, and Plateau most affected. Electoral offences were also widespread, with 381 cases documented in the same period, including vote‑buying, intimidation, and voter suppression.
These figures highlight the fragility of Nigeria’s democratic process and the urgent need for political actors to honor their commitments under the Peace Accord.
The Peace Accord, facilitated by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre, is not merely symbolic. Organizers stressed that it is anchored in Nigeria’s Constitution, the Electoral Act, and INEC guidelines, making it a legally binding framework for peaceful political competition.
The accord requires parties, candidates, and campaign spokespersons to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, fake news, and incitement, while committing to respectful, issue‑based campaigns.
Despite its significance, the absence of key presidential candidates, including APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ADC’s Atiku Abubakar, raised eyebrows. Tinubu was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to the principles of the accord. Other candidates present included Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party, and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress.
Speaking at the ceremony, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan emphasized that elections are not “total wars” but competitive job interviews before the electorate. He warned against the resurgence of hate speech, toxic polarization, and coordinated misinformation, urging candidates to focus on Nigeria’s pressing challenges—economic growth, insecurity, healthcare, education, and social inclusion. “It is not the signatures written on this Accord today that preserve democracy; it is the character of the leaders who hold the pen,” Amupitan declared.
The Inspector‑General of Police, Tunji Disu, represented by DIG Umar Shehu, echoed similar concerns, stressing that election security is built throughout the electoral cycle, not on election day alone. He warned against the use of armed groups, criminal elements, or illegal firearms to intimidate opponents, noting that inflammatory statements spread rapidly through television and social media, often triggering violence in communities.
The Peace Committee’s Project Manager, Asabe Ndaye, revealed that 43 percent of violations during the 2023 electoral cycle were linked to issue‑based campaigns, with party spokespersons responsible for most breaches.
She cautioned that political language can serve as a “risk signal” in tense environments, urging parties to verify information before dissemination. Ndaye also highlighted the committee’s role in facilitating 31 peace accords since its establishment in 2014, describing the initiative as a moral intervention to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
Opposition voices, however, questioned the effectiveness of the accord. SDP candidate Adewole Adebayo argued that without justice, accountability, and respect for democratic principles, the agreement would remain meaningless. He pointed to past violations that went unpunished and accused government institutions of intimidating opposition politicians.
Despite divergent views, the Peace Accord remains a critical framework for ensuring peaceful campaigns. Its success will depend not only on signatures but on the conduct of political actors, their supporters, and institutions tasked with safeguarding democracy. With over 1.4 million ad‑hoc personnel expected to be deployed across 176,000 polling units, INEC has invested heavily in across the country.
