The National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has warned President Bola Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and other political actors against inflammatory and inciting campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The committee, convened by Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, also disclosed that 60 election-related incidents were recorded across the country between August 19 and September 19.
It said the incidents included political violence, intimidation, threats, attacks on political activities and the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
The NPC made this known in a statement jointly signed by Abubakar and Kukah on Monday, urging political parties, candidates and their supporters to adhere to the commitments contained in the National Peace Accord.
The statement partly read, “To political parties, candidates, and supporters: Immediately stop false, inflammatory or inciting communication. Uphold the commitments of the Accord, verify information before publication, and actively prevent supporters from engaging in unlawful conduct, intimidation, or disruption.
“As the 2027 electoral cycle progresses, the message of the NPC remains clear and unwavering. Every candidate must be able to campaign peacefully; every political party must be able to organise lawfully; and every citizen must be able to make a political choice without intimidation or coercion.
“To INEC, strengthen monitoring of political campaigns and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and applicable regulations governing political parties and campaign conduct.
“Where breaches are identified, the commission should take appropriate regulatory action within its mandate and promptly refer suspected criminal violations to the relevant law-enforcement agencies.”
The committee further urged security agencies to step up investigations into electoral offences and political violence.
“The Committee reminds all signatories that the National Peace Accord is a solemn public commitment, not a ceremonial declaration.
“To the Nigeria Police Force and Security Agencies: Intensify prompt, impartial, and evidence-driven investigations into electoral offences and political violence,” it added.
According to the NPC, misinformation and disinformation accounted for the largest proportion of the 60 incidents, with 24 cases representing 40 per cent.
It said attacks and disruptions affecting political activities and assets followed with 13 incidents, or 21.7 per cent, while political intimidation and threats, including cases involving security personnel, accounted for 10 incidents, representing 16.7 per cent.
Political violence and thuggery made up six incidents, or 10 per cent, while inflammatory statements accounted for four cases, representing 6.7 per cent.
The committee also recorded one case each involving restrictions on freedom of expression, intra-party conflicts and voter inducement.
It said the incidents indicated “deviations from peaceful and issue-based campaigns by political actors and their supporters” envisaged under the Peace Accord.
The NPC warned that the trend could discourage political participation, weaken public confidence in the electoral process and heighten tensions as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Election Security Information Hub, which tracks political conduct and election-related developments, was launched in Abuja on October 14, 2025, in collaboration with the European Union through its Support to Democratic Governance Programme in Nigeria.
The latest warning came about six weeks after major political parties and candidates signed the National Peace Accord ahead of the commencement of public campaigns.
The August 18 ceremony, organised by the NPC in partnership with The Kukah Centre, was attended by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, political party leaders, presidential and National Assembly candidates, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu and members of the diplomatic community.
Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress; Social Democratic Party candidate, Adewole Adebayo; and African Action Congress candidate, Omoyele Sowore, were among those who signed the accord.
However, Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement, were absent from the ceremony.
Amupitan had earlier warned of an “alarming resurgence” of hate speech, toxic polarisation, coordinated misinformation and personality-driven political discourse as the country approaches what is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested elections since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
