President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged political parties and candidates to prioritise peaceful, issue-based campaigns and reject violence, hate speech, misinformation and ethnic or religious sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, made the call at the signing of a peace accord convened by the National Peace Committee ahead of the January and February 2027 elections.

The President commended the committee, led by former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, for promoting non-violent political campaigns since 2014.

Tinubu also highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly the use of technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including the Permanent Voter’s Card and BVAS, which he said had reduced electoral manipulation and strengthened voters’ confidence.

He cited the recent off-cycle elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States as evidence of Nigeria’s growing capacity to conduct credible elections, noting that different political parties emerged victorious in the polls.

The President called on political actors to campaign on ideas, policies and competing visions for Nigeria’s development rather than resorting to divisive rhetoric.

“As members of the same household, the same national family, we must never resort to divisive and primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power,” he said.

Tinubu pledged the commitment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the peace accord, saying the party rejects violence, hate speech, misinformation, including AI-generated misinformation, and incitement, particularly on social media.

He urged other parties and Nigerians to uphold the same principles, stressing that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair.

“Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner,” the President said.