Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged political actors preparing for the 2027 general elections to embrace peaceful, issue-driven campaigns and ensure their conduct reflects the offices they seek.
Obi spoke on Tuesday in Abuja shortly before the commencement of the National Peace Accord signing ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in collaboration with The Kukah Centre.
The former Anambra State governor expressed concern over the loss of lives during elections, stressing that political contests should never result in the death of any Nigerian.
He argued that candidates should not require a peace agreement before conducting themselves responsibly, saying those aspiring to occupy the country’s highest offices ought to demonstrate exemplary behaviour.
“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.
He maintained that politicians should uphold the dignity associated with the positions they are seeking before, during and after elections.
According to him, political leaders cannot expect to be addressed as “His Excellency” while failing to display excellence in their actions.
“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.
Obi also called for the remembrance of those who lost their lives during the recent Osun State governorship election, urging political actors to visit and console the affected families.
He said electoral violence should not become a normal part of Nigeria’s democratic process and appealed to politicians to act responsibly to prevent future deaths.
“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.
Responding to a question on whether he remained confident in Nigeria’s electoral system despite its challenges, Obi said his desire to reform the process was enough reason for him 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.
On proposals for a “justice accord” to punish candidates or political parties that breach the terms of the peace agreement, Obi said the terminology was secondary to the behaviour of individuals contesting elections.
“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.
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Asked about his biggest concern ahead of the 2027 election, Obi said he wanted Nigerians to have a credible process through which they could freely choose their leaders.
“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 further identified voters as the ultimate arbiters in dealing with politicians who breach electoral commitments, saying Nigerians should use their votes to punish erring candidates and parties.
Asked what sanction should be applied to a candidate or party that violates the peace accord, Obi replied: “Well, the punishment is that Nigerians should not vote for them.”
His comments come amid heightened political preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, which are expected to feature intense competition among political parties and presidential contenders.
Issues such as the economy, insecurity, unemployment, rising cost of living and confidence in the electoral process are expected to dominate political campaigns.
Obi’s call for peaceful, issue-based contests comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s history of election-related violence, allegations of electoral malpractice and deaths recorded during previous political contests.
His position places part of the responsibility for a peaceful 2027 election on political candidates and parties, while also emphasising the role of voters in holding political actors accountable through the ballot.