Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Gregory Obi, in Abuja called for a peaceful and credible 2027 election, urging political candidates to campaign on issues and Nigerians to reject politicians who resort to violence or undermine the democratic process.

Obi made the appeal shortly before the National Peace Accord signing ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre.

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The former Anambra State governor said political contests should never cost Nigerians their lives, particularly as the country prepares for another closely watched general election.

“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, our behaviour,” Obi said.

“We must do the right thing and campaign on issues that Nigerians are going through today.”

Obi argued that candidates seeking public office should not need a formal peace agreement before demonstrating responsible behaviour.

For the former governor, the title “His Excellency” should be matched by conduct worthy of the office.

“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,” he said.

His comments came shortly after the August 15 Osun State governorship election, where Obi urged Nigerians and political actors not to forget those who lost their lives during the electoral process.

Obi called for the families of the victims to be visited and consoled, while urging politicians to ensure that future elections do not produce similar tragedies.

“Let us not forget those who died in ensuring that the election in Osun was achieved, the way it went,” he said.

“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. It is painful, and I wish it never happens again.”

The appeal adds a human dimension to the growing political conversation around the 2027 contest, with electoral violence remaining one of the country’s most persistent democratic concerns.

Obi also defended his continued participation in Nigeria’s electoral system despite his criticism of its shortcomings.

Asked whether he still believed in the process, he offered a straightforward explanation: “Because I want to change the process, I have to go through it, so I have to believe in it.”

The NDC candidate was also asked about proposals for a “justice accord” that would impose sanctions on political parties or candidates who breach the commitments contained in the peace agreement.

Obi said the terminology was less important than the behaviour of the people signing the agreement.

“Well, whatever it is, whether we call it justice accord or we call it peace accord, personal conduct of the candidate must reflect the office he’s seeking,” he said.

“Behaviour, expression, anytime, must reflect that office.”

The most direct part of Obi’s message was directed at voters.

Asked what sanction should apply to candidates or political parties that violate the peace agreement, Obi said Nigerians should use the strongest democratic tool available to them.

“Well, the punishment is that Nigerians should not vote for them,” he said.

Obi’s position places significant responsibility on voters, rather than solely on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies or political parties.

His central concern ahead of the 2027 election, he said, is whether Nigerians will be able to choose their leaders freely and have their votes properly reflected in the final outcome.

“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.

The demand comes as political parties and emerging alliances intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The contest is expected to be shaped by economic conditions, insecurity, unemployment, living costs and confidence in the electoral system.

Obi’s remarks also reflect the broader political significance of the 2027 election.

Nigeria’s recent electoral history has been marked by disputes over results, allegations of malpractice and episodes of violence, making calls for peaceful campaigns and credible voting particularly significant.

The National Peace Accord has previously been used to encourage presidential and other political candidates to commit themselves publicly to peaceful conduct before elections.

However, the effectiveness of such agreements ultimately depends on whether candidates, parties and their supporters respect the commitments beyond the ceremony.

For Obi, the responsibility should extend beyond politicians.

Voters, he argued, possess the final power to reward responsible political behaviour and reject candidates who disregard democratic values.

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As campaigns gather momentum, his message is therefore both a demand and a challenge: candidates should earn the trust associated with public office, while Nigerians should use their votes to hold those candidates accountable.