Nigeria’s presidential hopefuls sign peace pact in bid to prevent unrest during election

As Nigerians head to the polls on Saturday Feb. 25 in a fiercely-contested presidential vote, 18 candidates sign second accord in the capital Abuja in the presence of election observers in a bid to prevent unrest and “maintain a peaceful environment before, during and after … the vote.”

The crucial election comes as Africa’s most populous nation battles myriad economic and security problems that range from fuel and cash shortages to rising terror attacks, high inflation, and a plummeting local currency. For the first time since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, none of the candidates is an incumbent or a former military leader. The second pact signed Tuesday Feb.21 is meant to ensure “the conduct of free, fair, credible, transparent and verifiable elections cognizant of the need to maintain a peaceful environment before, during and after the 2023 general elections” and “to place national interest above personal and partisan concerns.”

An earlier agreement had been signed in September last year, which former military head of state and retired general Abdusalam Abubakar said had been violated numerous times. Organized by the National Peace Committee and the Kukah Leadership Centre, an Abuja-based think tank, the signing ceremony was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari and other African and international leaders and diplomats.

Committee officials said the accord was meant to bind political parties, candidates and their supporters to resort to constitutional means if they are dissatisfied with electoral outcomes. Saturday’s race to succeed Buhari is being keenly contested. Among the 18 candidates, four are generally accepted to be top contenders.