The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called for peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging politicians to demonstrate the values expected of those seeking public office.
Obi made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Peace Accord signing ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in collaboration with The Kukah Centre.
Speaking with journalists before the ceremony, the former Anambra State governor expressed concern over election-related violence and deaths, stressing that no Nigerian should lose their life because of an electoral contest.
Obi said candidates should not need a peace accord to compel them to behave responsibly, arguing that politicians seeking public office must lead by example.
“We have a peaceful, issue-based campaign. We must, for the sake of this country, ensure that our conduct reflects the office we’re seeking. We must do the right thing and campaign on issues that Nigerians are going through today,” he said.
‘You can’t answer His Excellency without being excellent’
Obi said the conduct of political actors before, during and after elections should reflect the dignity of the offices they seek.
He questioned the practice of politicians demanding titles such as “His Excellency” while failing to demonstrate excellence through their conduct.
“We don’t even need to sign this. We’re seeking an office where we should be exemplary. You can’t answer ‘His Excellency’ without being an excellent person,” Obi said.
According to him, politicians must ensure that their behaviour and public statements consistently reflect the responsibilities attached to the offices they seek.
He also called for proper remembrance and commemoration of people who lost their lives during the recent Osun State governorship election.
Obi urged political leaders and other stakeholders to visit the families of victims, offer them support and work towards preventing future election-related deaths.
“Let us not forget those who died in ensuring that the election in Osun was achieved, the way it went. We should visit them, console their families, remain prayerful and conduct ourselves in a way that in our democracy, nobody needs to die for an election,” he said.
Obi: I believe in electoral process because I want to change it
Asked whether he still had confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system despite the challenges associated with elections, Obi said his desire to reform the system was a reason for participating in it.
“Because I want to change the process, I have to go through it, so I have to believe in it,” he said.
Responding to calls for a “justice accord” that would impose sanctions on candidates or political parties that violate peace agreements, Obi said the name of the agreement was less important than the conduct of politicians.
He maintained that candidates must personally uphold the values expected of public office holders.
“Whether we call it justice accord or we call it peace accord, personal conduct of the candidate must reflect the office he’s seeking. Behaviour, expression, anytime, must reflect that office,” he said.
‘Let Nigerians’ votes count’
On his major concern ahead of the 2027 general elections, Obi said his priority was an electoral process that would allow Nigerians to freely choose their leaders.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the votes of citizens count, stressing that credible elections were essential to the future of the country.
“I don’t have any fear, except to say that please, for the sake of the children of Nigeria, can we have an election where people’s vote will count?” Obi asked.
He said a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and restore greater confidence in the political system.
