From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
The Action Alliance presidential candidate, Aare Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje, has called on political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and security agencies to preserve the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
Omo-Aje made this appeal after signing the National Peace Accord alongside other presidential candidates and political leaders in Abuja on Tuesday.
The accord, organized by the National Peace Committee and chaired by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in collaboration with The Kukah Center, commits political figures to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns before the elections.
The signing took place at the International Conference Center in Abuja, one day before the official start of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
This latest peace accord comes amid concerns over electoral violence, hate speech, vote-buying, intimidation, and other malpractices that have marred Nigeria’s electoral history.
Since the 2015 general elections, the National Peace Committee has consistently brought together presidential candidates and political parties to pledge support for peaceful campaigns and the acceptance of democratic rules.
This initiative aims to prevent political disagreements and competition from escalating into violence around election time, especially in a country with a history of election-related clashes and tensions.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, was among those who signed. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, also signed on behalf of the ruling party.
Other signatories included the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, and representatives of the Labor Party, African Democratic Congress, Democratic Leadership Alliance, National Democratic Party, National Rescue Movement, Youth Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith Labor Party.
The ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was absent from the ceremony.
In a statement provided to journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, Omo-Aje described the accord as a call for political leaders and institutions to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
He urged all parties to follow the terms of the agreement strictly and to run campaigns free of thuggery, hate speech, and religious or ethnic incitement.
“INEC must resist pressure and ensure that the votes of Nigerians count. The Commission should provide a level playing field for all parties, big or small,” Omo-Aje said.
He also called on security agencies to remain professional and non-partisan before, during, and after the elections.
“Our security agencies must protect lives and property before, during, and after the elections. They must not be used to intimidate voters or favor any political party. Professionalism is key to credible elections,” he emphasized.
Omo-Aje stated that Nigeria’s democracy can only deepen when state institutions operate independently, and political actors prioritize the welfare of citizens over the pursuit of power.
He urged politicians to focus their campaigns on issues relevant to Nigerians rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric that could divide the nation.
Campaigns for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State House of Assembly elections are expected to begin nationwide on Wednesday, with political parties set to deliver their messages to voters across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
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