Nineteen political parties in Kogi State have signed a peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to ensure peaceful campaigns and elections in the state.
The signing took place on Tuesday during an engagement between the Inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security and political parties at the Kogi State Police Command Headquarters in Lokoja.
Parties that signed the accord include the All Progressives Congress, APC, African Democratic Congress, ADC, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Social Democratic Party, SDP, Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Action Alliance, AA, and others.
Under the agreement, the parties committed to base their campaigns on policies, programmes, manifestos and issues affecting the people of Kogi State.
They also pledged to reject hatred, ethnic or religious division, personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric and incitement. The parties further rejected the use of sponsorship or mobilisation of individuals and groups for electoral violence, intimidation and disruption of political activities.
The parties agreed to respect the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other institutions responsible for elections, and to cooperate with security agencies to ensure peaceful polls.
They also committed to restraining public statements, speeches and social media communications, and to shun false information capable of provoking violence.
The accord further binds them to seek redress through legal channels in case of disputes and to discourage post-election violence.
The ceremony was witnessed by officials of the Police, INEC, other security agencies, civil society, election observers and religious leaders.
