African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar says he declined to attend the latest National Peace Accord signing because he believes the process has historically been unevenly supported by ruling and opposition parties.
Atiku made the remarks when members of the Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Democracy, Diplomacy and Development visited him in Abuja.
The delegation was led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola.
The group is engaging presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general election and encouraging peaceful and issue based campaigns.
The National Peace Accord was signed in Abuja on August 18.
It commits parties, candidates and supporters to peaceful campaigns, respect for electoral institutions and issue based engagement.
Atiku said he had participated in previous peace accord processes but became dissatisfied because, in his view, opposition candidates attended more consistently than ruling party candidates.
He said that perception was the reason he stayed away from the latest event.
President Bola Tinubu did not attend the ceremony personally but was represented.
Several other presidential candidates and party representatives participated.
Atiku said the organizers needed to address what he regarded as unequal participation if the process was to retain credibility.
Ariwoola urged Atiku to ensure his campaign avoided hate speech, inflammatory statements and conduct that could provoke violence.
The Council of the Wise said it intended to continue mediation and engagement before, during and after the election.
The disagreement over attendance does not alter the wider objective of the peace process, which is to reduce campaign violence and encourage acceptance of lawful electoral procedures.
