Tinubu Urges Political Actors to Shun Divisive Sentiments Ahead of 2027 Elections
President signs Peace Accord, pledges APC commitment to peaceful, transparent polls
ABUJA — August 18, 2026: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on political parties, candidates and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections to shun ethnic, religious and other primordial sentiments in the pursuit of political power.
The President made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of the Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 Presidential Election. He was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON.
President Tinubu stressed that while political disagreements and competing visions are legitimate elements of democracy, campaigns must not be allowed to undermine national unity or threaten the bonds that hold Nigerians together.
“In the spirit of the accord we have just signed, we must conduct ourselves in ways that strengthen, not tear, the fabric of our society.”
He urged political actors to make the 2027 campaign a contest of ideas, policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of Nigerians and accelerating national development.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu Pledges APC Commitment to Peaceful Elections
President Tinubu reaffirmed his personal commitment and that of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the principles of the Peace Accord, assuring that the party would conduct its campaign in a manner that promotes peace, stability and national cohesion.
“As the campaign season kicks off, I commit myself and my party, the All Progressives Congress, to the tenets of this accord,” the President stated.
He declared that the APC rejects violence, hate speech, misinformation and all forms of incitement, including the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media to manipulate public opinion or inflame tensions.
“We are committed to peaceful, transparent elections that will strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and our nation’s prosperity. I encourage other political parties and political actors to do the same,” he said.
The President reminded candidates and their supporters that elections should never be treated as a do-or-die affair, stressing that political actors across party lines remain partners in the collective task of nation-building.
“Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner,” he added.
Commends National Peace Committee
President Tinubu commended the National Peace Committee (NPC), particularly former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; the Sultan of Sokoto; and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for convening the event and sustaining efforts to promote peaceful elections in Nigeria.
He noted that since 2014, the committee had played a significant role in promoting peace accords through which political parties and candidates commit themselves to non-violent and issue-based campaigns during national and off-cycle elections.
The President acknowledged that election periods in Nigeria have historically generated anxiety due to intense competition for political power. However, he noted that the country has made significant progress in the transparency and management of elections since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
Tinubu Highlights Electoral Technology
President Tinubu also highlighted the role of technology in improving Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly through the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
According to him, these innovations have helped curb electoral malpractice, including voting manipulation, ballot stuffing and ballot snatching, while strengthening public confidence that votes would count.
He further noted that improvements in electoral transparency had contributed to greater accountability among politicians and demonstrated Nigerians’ capacity to conduct elections with maturity and restraint.
The President cited the off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States between October 2025 and August 15, 2026, saying that different political parties emerged victorious in the contests, which he said were described by local and international observers as free, credible and transparent.
He added that greater confidence in electoral processes and outcomes could help reduce post-election litigation and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“Nigeria Must Be the Ultimate Winner”
President Tinubu described the signing of the Peace Accord as a solemn commitment by political leaders to place the national interest above personal and partisan ambitions and to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
He called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, development partners and the media to support efforts aimed at deepening democracy and building a stronger and more vibrant democratic society.
The President stressed that democracy extends beyond periodic elections and the emergence of political office holders, encompassing citizens’ participation in national affairs, confidence in public institutions, civic engagement, good governance, justice and equity.
He expressed confidence that strict adherence to the Peace Accord by political parties, candidates and their supporters would contribute significantly to peaceful campaigns and credible elections in 2027, while strengthening political stability, social harmony and economic progress across the country.
Source: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
