Nineteen out of the 22 political parties expected to participate in the elections in Kogi State have signed a peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to conduct their campaigns and other political activities peacefully and in accordance with the law.

The agreement was reached yesterday during an engagement between the Inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security and political parties at the Kogi State Police Command Headquarters in Lokoja.

It was witnessed by officials of the Kogi State Police Command, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), representatives of other security agencies, civil society and election observer groups, as well as religious institutions.

Under the accord, the parties and their candidates agreed to base their campaigns on policies, programmes, manifestos, and issues affecting the people, and to refrain from actions that could cause violence, disorder, or disruption of the electoral process.

They also pledged not to use campaign platforms to promote hatred, ethnic or religious division, personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric or incitement.

The parties further rejected the use, sponsorship, or mobilisation of individuals and groups for electoral violence, intimidation, threats, or the disruption of political activities, even as they agreed to take reasonable steps to ensure that their supporters and campaign organisations maintain peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process.

he parties also committed to respecting the independence and lawful functions of the INEC and other institutions responsible for administering and securing elections, while cooperating with electoral and security authorities to facilitate peaceful elections.

The accord also prohibits the deliberate circulation of false information, inflammatory messages, threats or other content capable of provoking violence or undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

The parties further agreed to respect the rights of rival political parties and candidates to campaign and participate in the electoral process without obstruction, harassment, threats or unlawful interference.

According to the agreement, no party, candidate, or supporter shall unlawfully interfere with a voter’s freedom to choose a candidate of their preference.

Meanwhile, the parties agreed to respect lawful procedures for the announcement and declaration of election results, stressing that any candidate or party dissatisfied with an electoral decision should seek redress through available legal and constitutional mechanisms rather than resorting to violence or self-help.

They pledged that the commitment would continue beyond the declaration of results, with all political actors expected to discourage retaliation, reprisal attacks, destruction of property and other forms of post-election violence.