On a bright Tuesday morning in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, something more than another political event was taking place. The National Peace Committee had gathered political leaders, party representatives, and public officials for the formal signing of the Peace Accord, an agreement intended to set the tone for the upcoming 2027 general elections. President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, used this moment not to boast about his administration’s successes or attack his opponents, but to offer a quiet, urgent warning. He reminded every political party and every candidate that the pursuit of power must never be built on the dangerous foundations of ethnicity, religion, or other divisive sentiments. The atmosphere, as described by aides, was sober and reflective. The president’s message was simple but profound: political competition is not only expected in a democracy, it is healthy. But the way that competition is conducted can either strengthen the country or tear it apart. In a nation as diverse as Nigeria, with hundreds of ethnic groups and multiple religious traditions, words can become weapons. Tinubu’s speech, delivered in a measured tone, was a call for everyone to remember that they belong to the same national family, even when they stand on opposite sides of a political divide.
The president did not shy away from acknowledging that campaigns will naturally become heated. He understood that candidates will disagree, that they will have different visions for the country, and that they will likely exchange sharp words from time to time. That, he said, is part of the game. In fact, it is a sign of a thriving democracy. The problem begins when those disagreements stop being about ideas and start being about identity. Tinubu put it clearly: “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. 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.” Those words were carefully chosen. They were not directed at any single party or individual, but at the entire political class. The president’s message was that elections should be a contest of ideas, not a battle of tribes or faiths. He urged politicians to campaign on superior ideas, to debate issues openly, and to promote policies that would expand opportunities for ordinary Nigerians. Instead of appealing to fear or anger, they should appeal to hope. Instead of dividing people, they should bring them together around a shared vision of progress. In a country where political violence has often followed elections, this reminder was not just symbolic. It was a lifeline.
The president then moved from general advice to a personal commitment. He spoke not only as the head of state, but as the leader of the All Progressives Congress, the party that currently holds power. His commitment was absolute: his party would reject violence, hate speech, and the spread of misinformation, including the increasingly dangerous use of artificial intelligence to manipulate public opinion. In a world where social media can amplify lies in seconds, and where deepfakes can make it seem as though a candidate said something they never said, this warning was particularly timely. Tinubu did not simply promise that his party would behave well; he called on every other political party and political actor to do the same. He said: “Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation, including through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, especially via social media. 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.” This part of the speech felt like a direct challenge to the darker forces that have historically shaped Nigerian elections. For too long, campaigns have been marred by thuggery, fake news, and ethnic baiting. The president’s words were an acknowledgment that the game has changed, and that technology, while a tool for progress, can also be a weapon of destruction. By naming artificial intelligence specifically, he showed an awareness of the modern threats that traditional peace accords might not have imagined just a decade ago. It was a signal that the old ways of doing politics, the ways of lies and manipulation, must be left in the past.
Tinubu also took time to address a deeply held belief among many Nigerians that elections are a matter of life and death. This mindset, often described as the “do-or-die” approach, has led to violence and bloodshed in many electoral cycles. The president rejected this view outright. “Let us remember that elections are not a do-or-die affair. We are partners in the nation-building project. Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner,” he said. These are the words of a man who understands that political power is temporary, but the nation is permanent. No matter who wins or loses in 2027, Nigeria will still be there the day after. The people will still need jobs, schools, hospitals, and roads. The rivers will still flow, the fields will still be farmed, and the markets will still be filled with life. If politicians see each other as enemies, the country suffers. But if they see each other as partners in a shared project, even as rivals, then the country can move forward. The president did not leave this point without acknowledging the people who have worked hard to make this vision a reality. He praised the National Peace Committee, particularly its leadership, which includes former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. These three figures represent different traditions and different parts of Nigerian society, yet they have stood together since 2014 to promote non-violent, issue-based campaigns. Their presence at the signing ceremony was itself a powerful symbol. If a retired general, a traditional religious leader, and a Catholic bishop can work together for peace, then surely political rivals can also find common ground.
The president also looked back on Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999, reflecting on how far the country has come in the management of elections. In the early days of the Fourth Republic, elections were often marked by widespread fraud, ballot snatching, and the deliberate manipulation of results. But over time, the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, has introduced important technological innovations that have changed the game. The Permanent Voter Card, commonly known as the PVC, gave citizens a secure and reliable way to identify themselves at the polls. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, or BVAS, added another layer of transparency by using biometric verification to confirm that the person standing at the polling booth is indeed the registered voter. Tinubu noted that these tools have significantly curtailed ballot manipulation and boosted public confidence in the electoral process. He pointed to the credibility of recent off-season governorship elections held in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states as proof that transparent processes can reduce post-election litigation and deepen the consolidation of Nigeria’s democracy. This was not just a celebration of past achievements; it was a challenge to preserve and improve these standards in the 2027 elections. The president’s message was clear: Nigerians have come too far to allow the wheels of democracy to be rolled backward. Every citizen deserves an election that is free, fair, and credible, and every candidate deserves a level playing field. The technology is there, the institutions are there, and the will must be there as well.
Finally, the president turned to the broader society, calling on civil society organizations, development partners, the media, and ordinary citizens to play their part in protecting the democratic process. He asked them to support efforts to promote civic engagement, good governance, and institutional trust. A peace accord, after all, is not just a document for politicians to sign and then forget. It is a promise that must be kept on the campaign trail, in the newsrooms, in the community halls, and at the polling stations. The media, in particular, has a responsibility to report accurately and fairly, to avoid spreading rumors, and to hold leaders accountable without inflaming tensions. Civil society groups must continue to monitor elections, educate voters, and push for transparency. Development partners must support these efforts without imposing their own agendas. And citizens, the millions of Nigerians who will go to the polls in 2027, must refuse to be used as tools of violence or manipulation. Tinubu’s ultimate vision, articulated throughout the speech, was that Nigeria can accelerate its journey from a developing nation to a first-world country. But that journey requires more than just economic policies or infrastructure projects. It requires a political culture that values dignity, honesty, and unity. It requires leaders who are willing to lose gracefully and win humbly. It requires a people who are willing to disagree without destroying. As the peace accord was signed, there was quiet hope in the room that this time, the words will become actions. The ink on the document will dry, but its true meaning will only be revealed in the months ahead, in every rally held, every speech delivered, and every vote counted. The promise of Nigeria depends on it.