A Diocesan of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has raised concern over the negligence of some Presidential candidates in carrying out religious electoral rituals.
To mention a few, he revealed that President Bola Tinubu did not sign the peace accord during his 2023 presidential campaign.
Kukah made this statement while speaking at the Edo Election Security Townhall in Benin City.
Kukah, a key member of the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, highlighted the issue as although not obligatory but necessary.
He emphasized that the committee, which promotes electoral harmony, does not have the legal authority to enforce the signing of the peace pact, which has become a customary practice in recent elections.
“The National Peace Committee, what we do is not in the Electoral Act, it’s not law; it’s moral. You can’t compel people to fall in love or love their neighbour,” he stated.
He criticized the failure of political candidates to sign the accord, noting its potential impact on public perception.
Kukah pointed out, “If you go back to the 2019 election, the presidential candidate for the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was not there to sign the Peace Accord. And, of course, the opposition went to town, which is what it ought to be, and the next day, he (Atiku) turned up to sign.”
Addressing the current situation, Kukah remarked, “What is also very interesting is that the current president, when he was a presidential candidate, did not sign; it wasn’t our fault that the political opposition didn’t take advantage of it.”
He added, “It’s a pity, but we are not going to take anybody to court for not signing the Peace Accord. The only thing it does to you as a candidate is that it sends a wrong signal which can be very easily exploited by the opposition.”
In a related development, the National Peace Committee is set to hold a new roundtable discussion on the effectiveness of peace accords in Nigerian elections.
The upcoming session, scheduled for later this month, will review past practices and explore ways to enhance the impact of the peace initiative in future elections.
Peace Accord? What it entails
In the electoral context, a peace accord is a formal agreement between political candidates or parties to commit to non-violence and fair conduct throughout the electoral process.
It aims to ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and to prevent conflict or violence between opposing parties and their supporters.
Merits of peace accord
- Reduces Electoral Violence: By committing to peaceful conduct, parties and candidates help mitigate the risk of violence and conflict during and after the election.
- Promotes Fair Play: It encourages candidates to engage in a fair electoral contest, minimizing the use of underhanded tactics and fostering a more transparent process.
- Builds Public Trust: When candidates and parties adhere to a peace accord, it enhances public confidence in the electoral process and the legitimacy of the election results.
- Encourages Dialogue: It creates a platform for dialogue and negotiation between political opponents, which can lead to greater understanding and cooperation.
- Strengthens Democratic Institutions: By supporting peaceful elections, peace accords contribute to the stability and credibility of democratic institutions and processes.
- Provides Legal and Moral Framework: Although not legally binding, a peace accord offers a moral framework for electoral conduct and can influence candidates’ behavior through public and political pressure.
