President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged political parties and their candidates to reject violence, ethnic sentiments and religious rhetoric as campaigns begin ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the signing of the 2027 election peace accord, urging political actors to centre their campaigns on ideas, policies and programmes rather than divisive tactics.

Represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President called on politicians to place Nigeria’s interests above personal and partisan ambitions.

“It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing visions for our country. We may exchange occasional political jabs. But as members of the same household, the same national family, we must never resort to divisive or primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power,” he said.

Tinubu stressed that elections should not be treated as a matter of life and death, noting that Nigeria must remain the ultimate beneficiary regardless of which party emerges victorious.

“Let us remember that elections are not a do-or-die affair. We are partners in the project of nation-building. Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner.”

The President commended the National Peace Committee for its role in promoting peaceful elections since 2014, while highlighting technological improvements that have strengthened Nigeria’s electoral process.

He cited the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as measures that have helped curb electoral manipulation, ballot stuffing and ballot snatching.

“These improvements have restored power to the voters, who are now sure that their vote will count. Politicians are now more accountable to the people because votes count,” he said.

Tinubu also pointed to the off-cycle governorship elections held in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states between October 2025 and August 2026, noting that different political parties emerged victorious and observers described the polls as free, credible and transparent.

He said greater transparency in the electoral process would help reduce post-election litigation and urged civil society organisations, the media and Nigeria’s international partners to continue contributing to the strengthening of the country’s democracy.

The President also pledged the commitment of his administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to upholding the peace accord.

“As the campaign season kicks off, I commit myself and my party, the All Progressives Congress, to the tenets of this accord,” he said.

Tinubu urged political actors to make the 2027 campaign a contest of competing visions and practical solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

“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 called on all political parties and other political actors to make similar commitments to peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.