'Speak Language of Peace' – INEC Chairman Sends Message to 2027 Candidates

‘Speak Language of Peace’ – INEC Chairman Sends Message to 2027 Candidates
He told candidates to focus campaigns on policies instead of personal attacks.
Amupitan warned against misinformation and vowed INEC would remain neutral.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, has urged presidential candidates and political parties to promote peace in their activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Amupitan warned that politicians who fail to promote peaceful campaigns could contribute to violence, urging candidates to focus on their manifestos and explain to Nigerians how they intend to address the country’s major challenges.

The INEC chairman made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of the first National Peace Accord for the 2027 general elections, organised by the National Peace Committee and led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Amupitan urged presidential candidates to win the confidence of voters through their policies and programmes rather than personal attacks, saying the campaign should focus on issues affecting the country.

“Presidential candidates, if you speak the language of peace, they will act with peace; if you incite them, they will ignite,” he said.

“Let us compete decently, but let us remember that at the end of this exercise, there will be no winner if Nigeria is not the winner.

“Focus on what and how. Tell the voters what you will do for the economy, security and education and how you intend to achieve it.”

He added, “Let the 2027 campaign be a marketplace of ideas, not a theatre of war.”

Speaking about the National Peace Accord, Amupitan urged political actors to take the agreement seriously, describing it as a commitment to millions of Nigerians who would be affected by the outcome of the election.

“The document you are about to sign is not a mere piece of paper. It is a covenant and a social contract with the Nigerian people, and it is a contract with statutory and constitutional flavour,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman also urged political parties and candidates to obey electoral laws, respect democratic institutions and engage in constructive criticism throughout the election process.

He cautioned political actors against prematurely declaring themselves winners or circulating information capable of weakening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Amupitan also raised concerns about the growing influence of digital communication on elections, warning politicians and voters about the risks posed by misinformation, disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference.

He reiterated INEC’s commitment to remaining neutral during the 2027 elections, stressing that the commission would not support any candidate or political platform.

“Let me state unequivocally that INEC has no interest in who wins or loses any election, nor does it favour any political platform. Our only interest is a lawful, transparent, credible and inclusive process,” Amupitan said.

'Speak Language of Peace' – INEC Chairman Sends Message to 2027 Candidates — ‘Speak Language of Peace’ – INEC Chairman Sends Message to 2027 Candidates

The official campaign for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, while the elections are scheduled to hold on January 16, 2027, according to INEC’s timetable.