PRESIDENTIAL candidates and leadership of political parties contesting the 2027 general elections had on Tuesday in Abuja signed a Peace Accord.
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 that signed were President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Peter Obi of Nigeria Democratic Congress and Adewale Adebayo of Social Democratic Party.
Others were candidates for the governorship and National Assembly.
The peace agreement, organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the chairmanship of former Head of State, Gen. 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 tasked political parties, candidates, campaign councils, and their spokespersons to campaign based on issues of significant concerns to Nigerians.
Abubakar 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.
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.
He noted that over the years, political campaigns and rallies had neglected the significance of party manifestos and programmes, and created a platform for political parties to resort to name-calling, personal insults and character assassination.
He added that political campaigns had taken away dignity and decency in public discourse and conversation, creating a toxic atmosphere that had the potential to incite citizens against the state, against other political parties and candidates.
“Now that the 2027 general election is five months away and the official commencement of campaign is tomorrow, 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,” he said.
The Programme Officer, Kukah Centre, Asabe Ndahi, presenting “the National contest of emerging issues” said that evidence from previous electoral cycles showed that the biggest breach of the Peace Accord was with Clause 1, where parties committed themselves to conduct issue-based campaigns.
Ndahi said that result showed that there was 43 per cent breach of that particular clause, while the clause provides for refraining from insults and violence was also breached.
“Also, the clause that provides that there will be no fake news or some disinformation was also breached up to 90 per cent.
“All the other clauses of the Accord were equally breached, but not in equal percentage,” she said.
Asabe also added that the clause regarding conduct of issue-based campaigns was also violated, adding that 58 per cent of those violations were from spokespersons.
“The number of states that were affected out of the 36 were 32 states. The most affected states were Kaduna, Plateau, Kano, Lagos, Rivers, and Benue,” she said.
Ndahi urged stakeholders especially candidates and their supporters to allow peaceful campaigns and elections as campaigns commence on Wednesday.
“We recommend that political parties and candidates in favour of this campaign conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns, debate policies and ideas based on political parties’ opinions.
“For campaign teams and supporters, we expect you to mobilise responsibly and do not cause any violence or intimidation in the process of mobilisation.
“As for the party and candidate spokesperson, we expect a lot from you because this is where most of the issue starts.
“We expect responsible messaging, timely verified information and avoid inflammatory or inciting statements.
“As for the media and Civil society organisations, verify information before amplifying and conduct evidence-based advocacy.
She also tasked security agencies and INEC on neutrality, impartiality, transparency and consistent in enforcement of laws, while also urging Nigerians on peaceful conduct. (NAN)
