2027: Election not do-or-die affair, Tinubu tells political actors

President Bola Tinubu has urged political actors participating in the 2027 general elections to shun violence and divisive sentiments, particularly those based on ethnicity and religion, in their quest for political power.

Tinubu made the call in Abuja on Wednesday at the signing of the peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President urged political parties and their candidates to commit to a peaceful and transparent electoral process.

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He described the peace accord as a solemn pledge to Nigerians that political leaders would place the national interest above personal and partisan ambitions.

Tinubu also called on political actors to campaign based on ideas, policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.

He said, “It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing visions for our country. We may exchange occasional political jabs.

“But as members of the same household, the same national family, we must never resort to divisive or primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power.

“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people and accelerate Nigeria’s journey from a developing nation to a first-world country.”

The President said Nigeria’s electoral process had continued to improve, particularly through the deployment of technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He cited the Permanent Voter Card and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, saying technological improvements had strengthened the credibility of elections and helped restore confidence among voters.

“With the aid of technology, INEC has recorded remarkable improvement in every election cycle,” he said.

“These improvements have restored power to the voters, who are now sure that their vote will count. Politicians are now more accountable to the people because votes count.”

Tinubu noted that the country had conducted three off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states between October 2025 and August 15, 2026, saying different political parties emerged victorious in the polls.

According to him, local and foreign observers described the elections as free, credible and transparent.

He said transparent electoral processes would help reduce post-election litigation and strengthen confidence in democracy.

“We have gathered today to commit ourselves to a peaceful and transparent electoral process. Signing this peace accord is a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people that we, as leaders, will put the nation’s interest above personal or partisan ambitions,” he said.

The President thanked members of the National Peace Committee, particularly former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; the Sultan of Sokoto; and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for their efforts in promoting peaceful elections since 2014.

He said the peace accords had helped commit political parties and candidates to non-violent and issue-based campaigns during national and off-cycle elections.

Tinubu urged Nigerians, civil society organisations, international partners and the media to support efforts aimed at strengthening the country’s democracy.

He said democracy went beyond periodic elections, stressing that it also involved citizens’ participation in governance, trust in public institutions and civic engagement.

The President also pledged the commitment of the All Progressives Congress to the peace accord.

“As the campaign season kicks off, I commit myself and my party, the All Progressives Congress, to the tenets of this accord. Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation — including through artificial intelligence — and all forms of incitement, especially via social media,” he said.

He urged other political parties and political actors to make similar commitments, saying peaceful and transparent elections were essential to political stability, social harmony, economic progress and national prosperity.