President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged the commitment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a peaceful, transparent and issue-based campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President made the commitment on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the signing of the Peace Accord by political parties and presidential candidates in Abuja.
He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
Tinubu commended the National Peace Committee (NPC), particularly former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; the Sultan of Sokoto; and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for sustaining efforts to promote peaceful elections since 2014.
He noted that although electoral contests often generate tension because of the intense competition for political power, Nigeria had continued to make progress in electoral transparency and management, particularly through the adoption of technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, innovations such as the Permanent Voter Cards and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) have significantly reduced electoral manipulation, ballot stuffing and ballot snatching, thereby strengthening voters’ confidence that their votes would count.
The President cited the off-cycle governorship elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States between October 2025 and August 15, 2026, saying different political parties emerged victorious and observers described the polls as free, credible and transparent.
He said transparent electoral processes would also help reduce post-election litigation and strengthen public confidence in democracy.
Tinubu said the signing of the Peace Accord represented a solemn commitment by political leaders to place the national interest above personal and partisan ambitions.
He urged political parties and candidates to campaign on superior ideas and policies rather than resorting to ethnic or religious sentiments.
“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people and accelerate Nigeria’s journey from a developing nation to a first-world country,” he said.
The President also called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, international partners and the media to contribute to the development of a stronger democratic culture.
He stressed that democracy goes beyond periodic elections, noting that citizens must participate actively in national affairs, build trust in public institutions and promote good governance.
Tinubu further declared that the APC rejects violence, hate speech, misinformation, including misinformation generated or spread through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, particularly on social media.
He urged other political parties and political actors 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.
