Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called for a credible and peaceful 2027 general election, urging Nigerians to deny electoral support to politicians who promote violence or violate peace commitments.
Obi spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Peace Accord signing ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre.
The former Anambra State governor said his major expectation for the 2027 election was an electoral process in which Nigerians could freely choose their leaders and have their votes count.
“I don’t have any fear, except to say that please, for the sake of the children of Nigeria, can we have an election where people’s vote will count?” he asked.
He said politicians seeking public office should be guided by the responsibilities attached to the positions they seek and should campaign around issues affecting Nigerians rather than resorting to inflammatory or violent conduct.
“We have a peaceful, issue-based campaign. We must, for the sake of this country, ensure that our conduct reflects the office we’re seeking, our behaviour. We must do the right thing and campaign on issues that Nigerians are going through today,” Obi said.
Obi argued that candidates should not require a peace accord before conducting themselves responsibly, saying those aspiring to occupy senior political offices must demonstrate exemplary behaviour.
“We don’t even need to sign this. We’re seeking an office where we should be exemplary. You can’t answer ‘His Excellency’ without being an excellent person. So that process that will make you answer ‘Excellency’ should be excellent, and the only way to do it is to conduct yourself properly,” he said.
The former governor also called for the remembrance of people who died during the recent Osun State governorship election, urging political actors to console their families and ensure such deaths do not become part of Nigeria’s electoral culture.
“Let us not forget those who died in ensuring that the election in Osun was achieved, the way it went. We should visit them, console their families, remain prayerful and conduct ourselves in a way that in our democracy, nobody needs to die for an election. It is painful, and I wish it never happens again,” he added.
On whether he remained confident in Nigeria’s electoral system despite its challenges, Obi said his desire to reform the process was a reason to participate in it.
“Because I want to change the process, I have to go through it, so I have to believe in it,” he said.
Responding to proposals for a “justice accord” backed by sanctions, Obi said the title of the agreement mattered less than the conduct of candidates.
“Well, whatever it is, whether we call it justice accord or we call it peace accord, personal conduct of the candidate must reflect the office he’s seeking. Behaviour, expression, anytime, must reflect that office,” he said.
Asked what punishment should await politicians who breach the peace agreement, Obi said voters should exercise their power at the ballot box.
“Well, the punishment is that Nigerians should not vote for them.”
With political parties and presidential contenders already preparing for the 2027 elections, Obi said candidates and voters both have a role to play in ensuring a peaceful, issue-based and credible electoral process.
