RismadarVoice Reporters
August 19, 2026
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged political parties and candidates to abide by the commitments contained in the National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Professor Amupitan made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of the First National Peace Accord by political parties and candidates participating in the 2027 elections.
He noted that public campaigns and rallies for the elections would commence on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for February 6.
The INEC Chairman described the signing of the accord as a significant milestone, urging political actors to commit to issue-based campaigns and shun character assassination, identity politics and inflammatory rhetoric.
According to him, the credibility of the elections depends not only on INEC but also on the conduct of political leaders and their supporters.
Professor Amupitan warned that the accord would have little meaning if its provisions were not respected by party structures and supporters at the state, local government and grassroots levels.
He also cautioned against incitement, the use of private armed groups and digital disinformation, saying such practices could undermine the electoral process before election day.
The INEC Chairman assured Nigerians that the Commission was taking additional measures to strengthen transparency in the 2027 elections, particularly in the management and transmission of results.
Earlier, the National Peace Committee, NPC, said it had facilitated 30 peace accords since 2015, including five national accords ahead of the 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections and 25 at the sub-national level.
Representing the Chairman of the NPC, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, General Martin Luther Agwai said the committee had also established peace structures in 23 states to complement its national efforts.
He urged political parties and candidates to focus their campaigns on policies and programmes, while respecting opponents, voters and electoral institutions.
Also speaking, the representative of the Inspector-General of Police, DIG Umar Shehu Nadada, assured that the Nigeria Police Force would remain professional and impartial throughout the electoral process.
He said security agencies would collaborate with INEC, the military, intelligence services and other law-enforcement bodies to provide a secure environment for the elections.
Nadada, however, urged political leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters and desist from mobilising young Nigerians for political violence.
The signing of the accord marks the formal commencement of a critical phase in preparations for the 2027 General Election.
