2027: Atiku, Makinde Absent As Candidates Sign Peace Accord
2027: Atiku, Makinde Absent As Candidates Sign Peace Accord
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, were absent on Tuesday as presidential and National Assembly candidates signed the National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ceremony, held in Abuja, brought together political parties and their candidates in a renewed effort to promote peaceful campaigns and credible elections.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, described the Peace Accord as an important political tradition capable of strengthening the moral authority needed to ensure decorum throughout the electoral process.
Amupitan urged political parties and candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns and present clear, measurable manifestos focused on the welfare and interests of Nigerians.
He said election campaigns should serve as platforms for candidates to present their programmes and compete for the people's mandate rather than become avenues for violence and confrontation.
The INEC chairman also urged politicians to regard the Peace Accord as more than a ceremonial exercise, describing it as a covenant to uphold Nigeria's unity and democratic values.
“See the Peace Accord as a covenant to do what is good and preserve the sanctity of the nation,” he said.
Amupitan further likened the electoral contest to a competitive job interview, where voters would assess candidates based on their competence, character, ideas and proposed solutions to the country's challenges.
He cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 contest into a “war theatre,” stressing that candidates and their supporters must conduct themselves in ways that strengthen democracy and preserve national unity.
The Peace Accord is expected to guide the conduct of political parties, candidates and their supporters as preparations and campaigns for the 2027 general elections intensify.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, were absent on Tuesday as presidential and National Assembly candidates signed the National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ceremony, held in Abuja, brought together political parties and their candidates in a renewed effort to promote peaceful campaigns and credible elections.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, described the Peace Accord as an important political tradition capable of strengthening the moral authority needed to ensure decorum throughout the electoral process.
Amupitan urged political parties and candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns and present clear, measurable manifestos focused on the welfare and interests of Nigerians.
He said election campaigns should serve as platforms for candidates to present their programmes and compete for the people's mandate rather than become avenues for violence and confrontation.
The INEC chairman also urged politicians to regard the Peace Accord as more than a ceremonial exercise, describing it as a covenant to uphold Nigeria's unity and democratic values.
“See the Peace Accord as a covenant to do what is good and preserve the sanctity of the nation,” he said.
Amupitan further likened the electoral contest to a competitive job interview, where voters would assess candidates based on their competence, character, ideas and proposed solutions to the country's challenges.
He cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 contest into a “war theatre,” stressing that candidates and their supporters must conduct themselves in ways that strengthen democracy and preserve national unity.
The Peace Accord is expected to guide the conduct of political parties, candidates and their supporters as preparations and campaigns for the 2027 general elections intensify.
