By Augustine Akhilomen
The National Peace Committee (NPC), spearheaded by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and co-convened by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has issued a sharp and uncompromising warning to major political actors, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi, against the use of inflammatory and inciting language as the country builds toward the 2027 general elections.
In a joint statement released following a review of political conduct, the committee expressed deep concern over a worrying spike in hostility across the country, highlighting that political discourse is dangerously straying away from policy-based engagement.
The statement partly read:
“To political parties, candidates, and supporters: Immediately stop false, inflammatory or inciting communication. Uphold the commitments of the Accord, verify information before publication, and actively prevent supporters from engaging in unlawful conduct, intimidation, or disruption.
“As the 2027 electoral cycle progresses, the message of the NPC remains clear and unwavering. Every candidate must be able to campaign peacefully; every political party must be able to organise lawfully; and every citizen must be able to make a political choice without intimidation or coercion.
“To INEC, strengthen monitoring of political campaigns and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and applicable regulations governing political parties and campaign conduct.
“Where breaches are identified, the commission should take appropriate regulatory action within its mandate and promptly refer suspected criminal violations to the relevant law-enforcement agencies.”
The panel flagged data compiled through its Election Security Information Hub, which recorded roughly 60 election-related incidents within a single month. These violations span political violence, intimidation, targeted threats against opponents, physical attacks on campaign activities, and a surge in deliberate misinformation.
Reminding all political camps of their previous pledges, the committee underscored that the National Peace Accord is a binding civic compact rather than an empty formality.
Beyond warning the political elite, the peace panel called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ramp up prompt, impartial, and evidence-driven investigations into electoral offences to deter perpetrators.
As the 2027 race heats up amidst ongoing economic anxieties, the Abdulsalami panel’s intervention serves as a critical wake-up call for political gladiators to rein in toxic rhetoric before it destabilizes the democratic process.