The National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, has warned President Bola Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and other political actors against inflammatory rhetoric and conduct capable of escalating tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The committee also raised concern over 60 election-related incidents recorded across the country between August 19 and September 19, including political violence, intimidation, threats, attacks on political activities and the spread of misinformation.
The warning was contained in a statement jointly signed on Monday by Abubakar and the committee’s convenor, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah.
The committee urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to stop spreading false or inflammatory information and to prevent acts capable of disrupting the electoral process.
“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,” the statement said.
It said political actors must be allowed to campaign and organise peacefully, while voters should be able to make their choices without intimidation or coercion.
The committee also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to strengthen its monitoring of political campaigns and enforce the Electoral Act 2026 and other regulations governing campaign conduct.
Security agencies, it added, should intensify investigations into electoral offences and political violence.
“The Committee reminds all signatories that the National Peace Accord is a solemn public commitment, not a ceremonial declaration,” it said.
The warning followed the committee’s monitoring of political activities through its Election Security Information Hub during the one-month period.
According to the committee, misinformation and disinformation accounted for the largest share of the incidents, with 24 cases representing 40 per cent of the total.
It recorded 13 incidents involving attacks and disruptions of political activities and assets, while 10 cases involved political intimidation and threats.
Political violence and thuggery accounted for six incidents, while four cases involved inflammatory statements.
The committee also recorded one incident each involving restrictions on freedom of expression, intra-party conflict and voter inducement.
The NPC said the figures pointed to “deviations from peaceful and issue-based campaigns” by political actors and their supporters.
