Ahead of the 2027 general elections, 19 out of the 22 political parties expected to participate in the elections in Kogi State have signed a peace accord, pledging to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free electoral process.
The parties signed the accord yesterday 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.
Under the accord, the parties and their candidates pledged to participate peacefully in the 2027 elections and refrain from actions capable of causing violence, disorder or disruption of the electoral process.
They also committed to conducting their campaigns around policies, programmes, manifestos and issues affecting the people of Kogi State, while rejecting hate speech, ethnic or religious incitement, personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric.
The parties further pledged not to sponsor, encourage or mobilise individuals or groups for electoral violence, intimidation, threats or disruption of political activities.
They agreed to take reasonable steps to ensure that their supporters and campaign organisations conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electioneering period.
The accord also requires the political parties and candidates to respect the independence and lawful functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other institutions responsible for administering and securing the electoral process.
The parties pledged to cooperate with electoral and security authorities to facilitate peaceful elections and exercise restraint in public statements, speeches, broadcasts and social media communications.
They also undertook not to deliberately circulate false information, inflammatory messages, threats or any content capable of provoking violence or undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
Similarly, the parties recognised the right of other political parties and candidates to campaign freely, pledging not to obstruct, harass, threaten or unlawfully interfere with their activities.
The signatories further committed themselves to protecting voters’ rights, declaring that no party, candidate or supporter would unlawfully interfere with the freedom of eligible citizens to choose candidates of their preference.
On election results, the parties agreed to respect lawful procedures for their announcement and declaration, while candidates or parties dissatisfied with electoral decisions would seek redress through available constitutional and legal mechanisms rather than resorting to violence or self-help.
The accord also extends beyond election day, with the parties pledging to discourage retaliation, reprisal attacks, destruction of property and other forms of post-election violence.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi; the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Shehu Wahab, representatives of other security agencies, civil society organisations, election observers and religious leaders.
The engagement is part of efforts by election stakeholders to strengthen collaboration among political parties, security agencies and electoral institutions and ensure that the 2027 electoral process in Kogi State is conducted peacefully.
