The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has questioned the effectiveness of the National Peace Accord signed by political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebayo argued that peace agreements would have limited impact if Nigeria’s political and electoral institutions failed to enforce justice, accountability and respect for democratic rules.
He spoke with journalists on Tuesday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, shortly after political parties and candidates signed the accord organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with the Kukah Centre.
The agreement is aimed at promoting peaceful, issue-based campaigns and discouraging violence during the 2027 electoral process.
However, Adebayo expressed doubts about whether the latest accord would achieve its objective, noting that similar agreements had been signed during previous elections but were allegedly violated without meaningful consequences.
“There cannot be anything like peace. How do you expect justice to be done by those who violate the rules?” he queried.
The SDP candidate said the responsibility for peaceful and credible elections should not rest primarily on political candidates signing agreements, but on the government’s ability to uphold the Constitution and ensure that relevant institutions operate independently.
According to him, a properly functioning electoral system would make repeated peace accords unnecessary.
“If the President can keep to his oath of office and govern the country according to the law, and make sure that all enforcement agencies, INEC, and all the organisations and institutions of government play their role, there will be no need for signing this,” Adebayo said.
He specifically called for the independence and effectiveness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other institutions involved in the electoral process.
Adebayo also raised concerns about the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, questioning whether the poll represented genuine progress in Nigeria’s democratic development.
He cited reports of deaths recorded during the election and questioned why such incidents occurred despite the heavy deployment of security personnel.
The SDP presidential candidate also criticised the deployment of about 30 commissioners of police to Osun State during the election, arguing that the significant security presence failed to prevent the incidents reported.
Adebayo maintained that Nigeria’s long-term solution to electoral violence lies in building strong, independent and accountable institutions.
He said the country needed a political system in which laws and institutions effectively protect the integrity of elections, rather than one that depends on candidates signing peace agreements before every election.
