President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and several presidential candidates and political leaders have signed the first National Peace Accord ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, committing to peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
The accord was signed in Abuja on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, during a ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre, ahead of the official commencement of campaigns.
The agreement commits political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, personal attacks and the use of ethnic or religious sentiments during the campaign. Instead, candidates are expected to focus on policies, programmes and practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.
President Tinubu, represented at the ceremony by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, urged political actors to place the national interest above personal and partisan ambitions.
However, former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar was absent from the signing ceremony. Reports also identified Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde among prominent political figures who did not attend.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan also urged candidates to make the election a “marketplace of ideas,” focusing their campaigns on issues such as the economy, security and education. He said public campaigns and rallies for the 2027 elections officially begin on August 19, 2026.
