2027: 19 political parties sign peace deal with police in Kogi – THIS UPDATE

By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Ahead of the 2027 general elections in the country, 19 out of 22 political parties signed a peace agreement with the Kogi State Police Command on Tuesday to allow them to play by the rules

The signing of the peace agreement occurred during the meeting of the Inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security with political parties, held at the Kogi State Police Command Headquarters in Lokoja on Tuesday.

The 19 political parties agreed and pledged as follows “that all political parties, candidates and their supporters will pledge to participate peacefully in the 2027 general elections and will refrain from any conduct that may cause violence, disorder or disruption of the electoral process.

“Let political parties and candidates campaign based on policies, programmes, manifestos and issues that affect the people of Kogi State.

“No candidate or political party shall use campaign platforms to promote hatred, ethnic or religious division, personal attacks or incitement.

“We reject the use, sponsorship, encouragement or mobilization of individuals or groups for electoral violence, intimidation, threats or disruption of political activities.

“Political parties and candidates will have to take reasonable measures to ensure that their supporters and campaign organizations behave peacefully.

“All parties and candidates will respect the independence and legitimate functions of INEC and other institutions established by law to administer and secure the electoral process.

“We will cooperate with the electoral and security authorities to facilitate the peaceful conduct of the elections.

“Political parties, candidates, campaign organizations and their supporters must exercise restraint in public statements, speeches, broadcasts and social media communications.

“We will not knowingly disseminate false information, inflammatory messages, threats or content capable of provoking violence or undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

“All candidates and political parties recognize the right of other parties and candidates to campaign and participate in the electoral process.

“No party or candidate shall unlawfully obstruct, harass, threaten or interfere with the activities of another political party or candidate.

“We are committed to respecting the right of every eligible citizen to freely participate in the electoral process without intimidation, coercion, harassment or discrimination.

“No party, candidate or supporter shall unlawfully interfere with the voter’s freedom to choose the candidate of his or her preference.

“All political parties and candidates will respect legal procedures for announcing and declaring election results.

“Any party or candidate dissatisfied with an electoral decision will need to pursue available legal and constitutional mechanisms to seek redress rather than resort to violence or self-help.

“Our commitment to peace will continue after the election results are declared.

“Political parties and candidates discourage retaliation, reprisals, destruction of property and other forms of post-election violence”

The signing of the peace agreement was witnessed by the Kogi State Police Command, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),
Representative of other security agencies, civil society/observer and religious institutions

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