President Bola Tinubu, the standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election, has formally appended his signature to the peace accord for the upcoming polls. Represented by George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, at the signing ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja, the President used the occasion to issue a stark warning against violence, hate speech, and misinformation as the nation gears up for intensified political activities. His endorsement of the accord underscores the executive’s commitment to a peaceful electoral process.
Tinubu took the opportunity to issue a passionate appeal to all political parties and candidates, urging them to transcend ethnic, religious, and other primordial loyalties in their pursuit of political office. He acknowledged that political disagreements and competing visions are fundamental to a functioning democracy but cautioned that the fervor of electoral contests must never compromise the country’s fragile national unity. The President stressed the need for all political actors to act as members of one national family, even amid the heat of political rivalry.
Elaborating further, Tinubu called on the political class to transform the 2027 campaigns into a rigorous contest of ideas, policies, and actionable programmes designed to uplift the citizenry. He envisaged a campaign season where politicians debate superior ideologies and champion the most effective strategies to expand opportunities for Nigerians, thereby accelerating the nation’s transition from a developing to a first-world economy. The President’s remarks pointed towards a desire for a more mature political discourse focused on substantive national development.
Reinforcing his commitment to the accord, the President vowed that he and his party, the APC, would strictly adhere to its tenets. He explicitly rejected violence, hate speech, and the spread of misinformation, highlighting the emerging threat posed by artificial intelligence in manipulating public opinion. Tinubu’s pledge extends to all forms of incitement, particularly through social media, and he called on other political entities to mirror this commitment, reminding them that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair but as a collective national project.
In his address, President Tinubu also lauded the National Peace Committee for its relentless efforts since 2014 to foster a peaceful and issue-based electoral environment. He cited the credibility of recent off-cycle governorship elections in states like Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun as proof that transparent electoral processes can significantly reduce post-election legal disputes and consolidate democratic governance. This, he argued, is a testament to the progress being made in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Concluding his address, the President appealed to civil society organizations, development partners, the media, and citizens to foster civic engagement and bolster institutional trust in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. He emphasized the collective responsibility of ensuring that the democratic process remains inclusive and credible, reiterating his faith that a well-managed electoral process serves as the bedrock for lasting peace and progress in Nigeria.