With the battle for Nigeria’s presidency set to intensify, major political figures and party leaders have committed themselves to a code of conduct aimed at preventing the 2027 election season from descending into violence, misinformation and divisive politics.

The National Peace Accord was signed on Tuesday in Abuja under the supervision of the National Peace Committee (NPC) in collaboration with The Kukah Centre, barely hours before the official commencement of electioneering campaigns.

The agreement binds presidential candidates, political parties and their supporters to conduct issue-driven campaigns and avoid hate speech, fake news, personal attacks, ethnic or religious incitement, intimidation and other actions capable of threatening the country's democratic process.

However, the ceremony was marked by the absence of some of the race's most prominent contenders. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar did not attend the event personally.

Tinubu was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

Among those present were Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Peter Obi, Social Democratic Party (SDP) flagbearer Adewole Adebayo, African Action Congress (AAC) candidate Omoyele Sowore, and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan.

Speaking at the event, Obi challenged Nigerians to hold politicians accountable for their actions and reject candidates who violate the spirit of the accord.

According to him, the ultimate punishment for politicians who promote violence or fail to honour their commitments should come from the electorate.

“The punishment is that Nigerians should not vote for them,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that those seeking public office must demonstrate integrity and exemplary conduct, arguing that leadership positions should be occupied by individuals whose behaviour reflects the values they seek to promote.

Obi also renewed his call for a credible electoral process, insisting that the 2027 election must be one in which every vote genuinely counts.

He expressed concern over fatalities recorded during the recent Osun governorship election, describing it as unacceptable for citizens to lose their lives because of political contests.

“No Nigerian should die because of an election,” he said, urging political actors and supporters to embrace peace and civility throughout the campaign period.

Interestingly, Obi questioned the very necessity of signing a peace accord, arguing that politicians aspiring to lead the country should naturally conduct themselves responsibly without requiring formal pledges.

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The Project Manager of the National Peace Committee at The Kukah Centre, Asabe Ndaye, described the accord as more than a symbolic gesture, noting that it is backed by constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, INEC regulations and other relevant laws.

She explained that the agreement represents a public commitment to democratic accountability, respect for the rule of law and peaceful political competition.

According to Ndaye, the committee had earlier convened political stakeholders and presented detailed legal annotations to ensure candidates and parties fully understood the implications of violating the accord.

She warned that existing laws already prescribe sanctions for electoral offences, including political violence, intimidation, hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric and actions capable of deepening ethnic, religious or sectional divisions.

Ndaye said the accord specifically prohibits candidates, party officials, campaign teams and supporters from creating, spreading or deliberately amplifying false information intended to incite violence or undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

She revealed that the National Peace Committee has facilitated 31 peace accords since its establishment as part of broader efforts to promote democratic stability and prevent electoral crises.

Despite the commitments made at the event, Ndaye cautioned that the exercise would be meaningless if political actors fail to honour the promises they signed.

She also raised concerns over growing security challenges across parts of the country, identifying states such as Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Niger, Benue and Plateau as areas where insecurity could pose significant threats to peaceful elections.

According to data presented at the event, 381 electoral offences were recorded within the review period, with the Federal Capital Territory, Osun, Oyo and Lagos among the locations reporting notable incidents.

Vote-buying, political violence, thuggery, voter intimidation, misinformation, electoral malpractice and voter suppression were identified as some of the major threats capable of undermining the credibility of the 2027 polls.

Ndaye urged political parties to focus on policies and solutions rather than personal attacks, while calling on supporters, spokespersons, media organisations, civil society groups and security agencies to play responsible roles in safeguarding the electoral process.

As campaigns officially begin, the peace accord sets the tone for what many expect to be one of Nigeria’s most fiercely contested elections. Whether the promises made in Abuja will survive the heat of the campaign trail remains the question hanging over the race.