Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nineteen political parties in Kogi State have signed a historic peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to conduct their campaigns and political activities strictly in accordance with the law and to reject violence, hate speech, intimidation, and other acts capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process. The agreement was reached on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, during an engagement between the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and political parties at the Kogi State Police Command Headquarters in Lokoja.
The peace accord, signed by 19 of the 22 political parties expected to participate in the 2027 elections in the state, commits the parties and their candidates to base their campaigns on policies, programmes, manifestos, and issues affecting the people of Kogi State. The signatories also pledged that their campaign platforms would stand against hatred, ethnic or religious division, personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric, and incitement. The parties rejected the use, sponsorship, or mobilisation of individuals and groups for electoral violence, intimidation, threats, or disruption of political activities.
Under the accord, the parties and their candidates agreed to respect the independence and lawful functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other institutions responsible for administering and securing elections. They also promised to cooperate with electoral and security authorities to facilitate peaceful elections while exercising restraint in public statements, speeches, broadcasts, and social media communications. The accord prohibits the deliberate circulation of false information, inflammatory messages, threats, or other content capable of provoking violence or undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
The parties further agreed to respect the rights of rival political parties and candidates to campaign and participate in the electoral process without obstruction, harassment, threats, or unlawful interference. They also committed to protecting the rights of eligible citizens to participate freely in elections without intimidation, coercion, harassment, or discrimination. On election results, the parties agreed to respect lawful procedures for the announcement and declaration of results, stressing that any candidate or party dissatisfied with an electoral decision should seek redress through available legal and constitutional mechanisms rather than resorting to violence or self-help. The commitment would continue beyond the declaration of results, with all political actors expected to discourage retaliation, reprisal attacks, destruction of property, and other forms of post-election violence.
Some of the parties that participated in the peace accord included the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Action Alliance (AA). The signing ceremony was witnessed by officials of the Kogi State Police Command, INEC, representatives of other security agencies, civil society and election observer groups, as well as religious institutions.
Speaking at the event, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, assured stakeholders that security agencies would provide a level playing field for all parties to campaign without rancor or acrimony. He urged parties to adhere strictly to the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines for the 2027 elections, warning that violations would carry strict legal consequences. "The police will be fair to all political parties. We will not condone violence, hate speech, thuggery, provocations, or any other form of electoral vice before, during, and after the 2027 general elections," he said. He urged political parties, candidates, and key stakeholders to play by the rules to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, and credible process.
Also speaking, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Shehu Wahab, noted that INEC had already concluded 5 out of the 14 activities scheduled for the 2027 general elections nationwide. He explained that the meeting was convened to sensitize parties, candidates, and stakeholders on operating within the Electoral Act to avoid penalties. He warned that electoral infractions—such as campaigning in places of worship, using masquerades, bearing arms, or instigating violence—attract penalties ranging from N2 million to N5 million, or 1 to 3 years imprisonment for individual offenders. Political parties facing violations risk fines of up to N10 million under Sections 96 to 99 of the Electoral Act.
The peace accord signing is part of ongoing efforts by election stakeholders to deepen collaboration between political parties, electoral institutions, and security agencies to prevent violence before, during, and after the 2027 elections. With the signing of the accord, the stakeholders are expected to translate the commitments into concrete actions as political activities intensify ahead of the polls.
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