The National Peace Committee (NPC) has expressed concerns over the threat of violence as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. The committee, along with other organizations, is calling on the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take action against identified violators of electoral peace accords. This call was made during a dialogue session with media executives in Abuja, jointly organized by the International Press Centre (IPC), the Kukah Centre, and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO).
According to Rev Fr Attah Barkindo, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre, punishing violators of electoral peace accords would deter other politicians from engaging in anti-election activities. He noted that the NPC has previously compiled names of politicians who violated peace accords and handed them over to the police and INEC, but no action was taken. The NPC, established as an ad-hoc body in 2015, became a permanent body after its work was deemed important by former President Buhari.
The dialogue session aimed to emphasize that maintaining electoral peace is a collective responsibility, not just the business of the NPC. Fr Barkindo stressed that the committee has no constitutional power to enforce peace accords, only moral persuasion. He urged the media to hold politicians accountable for their conduct and bring up the issue of peace accords in their reporting.
Fatai Yusuf presented findings on political activities, revealing that 192 electoral violations have been recorded so far. He mentioned that flash points for violations include Edo, Benue, FCT, Oyo, and other states. Yusuf noted that political activities remain exposed, with cases of attacks and obstruction of campaigns, as well as the use of fake news and disinformation.
The Executive Director of IPC, Dr Lanre Arogundade, spoke on the role of the media in promoting electoral peace and accountability. Meanwhile, Dr Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, coordinated a discussion on holding the peace through multi-platform media. The event was funded by the European Union.
The National Peace Accord for the federal elections was signed on August 18, 2026, while the actual campaign officially began on August 19, 2026, for presidential and National Assembly elections. Campaign for governorship and state house of Assembly elections began on September 9, 2026. Despite these efforts, concerns over violence and electoral integrity persist.
Key organizations involved in promoting electoral peace, including the NPC, IPC, CEMESO, and others, are working together to ensure a peaceful 2027 election. They emphasize the need for collective responsibility in maintaining electoral peace and accountability.
Key points
- The National Peace Committee has recorded 192 breaches of the Peace Accord and the Electoral Act.
- Flash points for electoral violence include Edo, Benue, FCT, Oyo, and other states.
- The media is being urged to play a role in holding politicians accountable for their conduct.
