2027: Atiku, Makinde Absent As Candidates Sign Peace Accord

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, was absent on Tuesday as presidential and National Assembly candidates of political parties signed the National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also absent at the ceremony was the Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde.

The signing ceremony, held in Abuja, brought together political parties and their candidates as part of efforts to promote peaceful campaigns and credible elections ahead of the 2027 polls.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, described the Peace Accord as a critical political tradition capable of strengthening the moral authority required to promote decorum in the electoral process.

Amupitan urged political parties and their candidates to commit themselves to issue-based campaigns and present measurable manifestos that would prioritise the welfare and interests of Nigerians.

He said political campaigns should provide an opportunity for candidates to present their programmes and compete for the mandate of the people, rather than become a platform for violence and confrontation.

The INEC chairman urged the candidates to regard the Peace Accord as more than a ceremonial commitment, but as a covenant to uphold the values and unity of the country.

“See the Peace Accord as a covenant to do what is good and preserve the sanctity of the nation,” he said.

Amupitan further advised politicians to see election campaigns as a competitive job interview in which candidates would be assessed by the electorate based on their competence, character, ideas and proposed solutions to the nation’s challenges.

He cautioned against turning the electoral contest into a “war theatre,” stressing the need for political actors to conduct themselves in ways that would strengthen democracy and preserve national unity.

The Peace Accord is expected to guide the conduct of political parties, candidates and their supporters as campaigns for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.