In a significant move towards promoting peace and stability in Benue State, Nigeria, over 150 youths, women, and stakeholders have signed a peace pact, committing to uphold peace, dialogue, and non-violence during the 2027 elections. The peace pact was signed during the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Peace, held in Makurdi. The event was organized by the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation (BSCPR) in collaboration with various partners.
The participants, drawn from the state's three senatorial districts, included Okada riders, tricycle operators, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, religious groups, women, and youths. They agreed to refrain from declaring election results that had not been verified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), emphasizing the importance of a "ballot without bullets." This initiative aims to foster a culture of peace and promote peaceful conflict resolution in the state.
The week-long activities for the 2026 International Day of Peace were organized by the BSCPR, with the theme: "Investing in peace for everyone, everywhere, every day." Iorwuese Yaasah, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Commission, stated that the activities brought partners and stakeholders together to discuss peace-related issues. He emphasized that the Commission is doing its best to promote peace in the state, given the current state of violence and conflicts across Benue State and Nigeria.
Henry Akya of Tetra Tech International Development, representing the Benue State representative on the SPRiNG programme, stressed that peace is a crucial component of society. He noted that the government and people of the United Kingdom are investing in peace across Benue and Nigeria. The SPRiNG programme is providing technical assistance to the BSCPR to implement this activity, which has brought together youth, young people, women, and men of different backgrounds across the state.
Prof. John Tsuwa, Secretary-General of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice in Nigeria, who was the Lead Facilitator at the event, stated that those who signed up for peace are now ambassadors of peace, particularly as the nation heads into the 2027 elections. He noted that the training sessions focused on dialogue, moving from dialogue to action, and concluded with a seed sowing, where participants made a pledge to invest in peace, unite the people, and accept diversity and inclusion.
Participants at the training, including Joshua Vershima from the Christian community, noted that they learned that society cannot be meaningful without peace. They expressed their commitment to taking the message of peace back to their respective communities. Asmau Musa, Programme Officer, Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), appreciated the organizers of the programme for the training and promised to spread the peace training to the Muslim community and women.
The event saw various stakeholders, including Daniel Gbom, President of Benue State Tricyclists, signing the peace pact. Gbom stated that he signed the pact because he is a man of peace, having received an award on peace the previous month. The signing of the peace pact demonstrates the commitment of youths, women, and stakeholders in Benue State to promoting peace and stability during the 2027 elections.
Key points
- - Over 150 youths, women, and stakeholders in Benue State sign a peace pact, committing to peace, dialogue, and non-violence during the 2027 elections. - The peace pact was signed during the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Peace, held in Makurdi. - The initiative aims to foster a culture of peace and promote peaceful conflict resolution in the state.
