The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has urged political parties and candidates to make the 2027 election campaigns a platform for ideas, policies and solutions rather than personal attacks and political violence.
Amupitan made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of the first National Peace Accord for the 2027 general elections, organised by the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Addressing presidential candidates and political party leaders, the INEC chairman described the accord as more than a ceremonial document, saying it represented a commitment to the Nigerian people.
He urged political leaders to lead by example, warning that supporters often mirror the behaviour and rhetoric of their candidates.
Focus On Policies, Not Personal Attacks
Amupitan called on candidates to tell Nigerians clearly what they intend to do if elected and explain how they plan to achieve their promises.
He urged politicians to focus particularly on issues such as the economy, security and education, rather than attacking their opponents.
“Let the 2027 campaign be a marketplace of ideas, not a theatre of war,” he said.
The INEC chairman also urged political actors to respect electoral laws and institutions while allowing room for constructive criticism.
He cautioned candidates and their supporters against premature declarations of victory and the spread of information capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
Warning Over Misinformation
Amupitan expressed concern over the growing influence of digital platforms on elections, particularly the spread of misinformation, disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference.
He urged political parties and candidates to exercise restraint and fully comply with the commitments contained in the peace accord.
According to him, political competition should remain peaceful because the ultimate goal should be protecting Nigeria’s democratic stability.
“Let us compete decently, but let us remember that at the end of this exercise, there will be no winner if Nigeria is not the winner.”
‘INEC Has No Candidate’
The INEC chairman also assured Nigerians that the commission would remain neutral throughout the 2027 electoral process.
He said INEC had no preferred candidate or political party and would focus solely on conducting a lawful, transparent, credible and inclusive election.
The official campaign period for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections begins on August 19, 2026, while the elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to INEC’s timetable.
Peace Accord
The National Peace Committee introduced the peace accord ahead of the 2015 general elections to encourage peaceful campaigns, mediate political disputes and promote acceptance of electoral outcomes.
The 2015 accord was signed by then-presidential candidates Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari and preceded Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from an incumbent ruling party to an opposition party since the return to democracy in 1999.
The initiative has since been used for several off-cycle governorship elections.
The 2027 accord commits political parties and candidates to peaceful conduct and issue-based campaigns before, during and after the elections.
2027 Campaigns Should Be Marketplace Of Ideas, Not Theatre Of War — INEC Chairman
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