The National Peace Committee (NPC) has warned that political actors are breaching the National Peace Accord barely weeks after signing it, citing 60 election related incidents recorded in one month, with false information the biggest threat.
In a statement jointly signed on Friday by NPC Chairman, Gen. Abdulsalami A. Abubakar and Convener, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Committee is urging security agencies, the electoral commission, parties and citizens to act ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NPC said that since the first National Peace Accord of the 2027 electoral cycle was signed on 18 August 2026, it has observed incitement, inflammatory narratives and violence involving actors across political parties.
Its Election Security Information (ESI) Hub tracked political conduct from 19 August to 19 September 2026 and recorded 60 incidents nationwide, many of them contrary to the commitments made under the Accord.
The Committee said the Accord is a solemn public commitment and not a ceremonial declaration.
The data shows misinformation and disinformation accounted for 40 percent of incidents, or 24 cases.
The other categories were: Attacks and disruptions affecting political activities and assets: 21.7 percent (13 incidents), Political intimidation and threats, including cases involving security personnel: 16.7 percent (10 incidents), Political violence and thuggery: 10 percent (6 incidents), Inflammatory statements: 6.7 percent (4 incidents), and Restrictions on freedom of expression, intra party conflicts and voter inducement: 1.7 percent (1 incident) each.
The NPC said these findings point to a drift from the peaceful, issue-based campaigns the Accord envisaged. It warned that the trend could limit political participation, erode public confidence in the electoral system and raise tensions as competition intensifies.
The Committee asked the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to step up prompt, impartial and evidence driven investigations into electoral offences and political violence. It demanded equal protection for all parties and candidates, with outcomes shared transparently where the law permits.
Investigations, it said, should go beyond those arrested at the scene to reach people who organise, finance or sponsor unlawful conduct. Security personnel must also stay neutral and professional.
The NPC urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen its monitoring of campaigns and ensure compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and related rules on party and campaign conduct. Where breaches are found, it said, the Commission should take regulatory action within its mandate and quickly refer suspected crimes to law enforcement agencies.
Political parties, candidates and supporters were told to immediately stop false, inflammatory or inciting communication, verify information before publishing it, and actively restrain supporters from intimidation, disruption or other unlawful acts.
Citizens and civil society were urged to settle disagreements through legal and democratic channels rather than retaliation or threats. The NPC also called on civil society, traditional and religious institutions, the media and social media platforms to sustain civic education and counter false information.
The Committee said every candidate must be able to campaign peacefully, every party must be able to organise lawfully, and every citizen must be able to choose without intimidation or coercion. Through the ESI Hub, it will continue to monitor and verify incidents, share findings with the relevant authorities and publish periodic updates.
