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Presidential Candidates Sign Peace Accord, Pledge to Accept Election Outcome
Candidates from 18 political parties participating in the presidential election scheduled for February 25 have signed a peace accord in Abuja.
Present at the signing of the peace accord were members of the National Peace Committee, as well as President Muhammadu Buhari.
Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were among the presidential candidates present.
By the text of the peace accord, presidential candidates make a commitment to “accept and abide by the outcome of the 2023 presidential election and if issues should arise”, to “deploy constitutional means and appeal to the courts rather than other unconstitutional means”.
In his remarks, Goodluck Jonathan, former president, said the peace accord is needed to deter candidates and their allies from using instruments of misinformation to influence the election.
The former president, whose speech was read by Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto, charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that the election is credible.
“This is aimed at mitigating disinformation, and misinformation during the election and in the time of the social media era,” Jonathan said.
“There is no other time than now given the considerable tension in the country as a result of the election. The election is not war. The country needs a stable democracy. The world looks up to us to get our leadership right and leadership recruitment right.”
Yakubu Gowon, former military head of state, advised the candidates to be “civil in their engagements”, adding that Nigeria is in need of a leader who is capable of “bringing and ensuring dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people”.
“I appeal to those who are bent on disrupting the election to reconsider their actions, to give an opportunity for just and fair resolution to the problems at hand. I wish all Nigerians a peaceful election and smooth transition of government as we had last time,” he added.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its failure to pay outstanding wage awards owed to federal civil servants, describing the government as callous and economically mismanaged.
Atiku lamented that despite promises to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal with a N35,000 monthly wage award, the government has only paid six months’ worth, leaving workers with four months of unpaid arrears amounting to N140,000 per worker.
“The decision to remove petrol subsidy without proper plans has buried the average Nigerian under the weight of inflation, hunger, and despair,” Atiku said.
He condemned the Tinubu administration for taking an excessive 10 months to finalise the new minimum wage figure, calling the delay a broken covenant that has exacerbated the economic hardship Nigerians face.
“That promise, like many others under this government, has become a broken covenant,” Atiku stated.
Atiku also criticised the government’s approach to labour issues, saying: “While several state governments have shown commendable responsibility in managing labour affairs, the Tinubu-led Federal government has distinguished itself by its utter disdain for workers’ welfare.”
He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of labour activist Andrew Uche Emelieze, who was arrested and detained for attempting to organise a peaceful protest over unpaid wage awards.
“Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten. The economic hardship is real, the hunger is biting, and the government has a duty to act—not to repress,” Atiku said.
He warned that the government’s approach reflects a growing authoritarian trend and urged the administration to engage in dialogue and fulfil its promises instead of resorting to tyranny and suppression of free speech.
Atiku’s criticism underscores growing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of economic and social issues, reinforcing his call for a new path toward good governance and relief for Nigerians amid prevailing hardship.
Chelsea, on Sunday, thrashed Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 in the Club World Cup final.
The Blues were considered underdogs ahead of the game, in which they came up against the Ligue 1 and Champions League winners.
However, it was the Premier League club that flew out of the blocks in the first half, scoring the three goals that effectively decided the match.
Cole Palmer curled in a pair of identical goals from the right side of the box, putting Chelsea firmly in control at the MetLife Stadium.
Palmer then provided a slide-rule pass for João Pedro to make it 3–0, his third goal of the tournament since joining Chelsea.
There were no goals in the second half, as Enzo Maresca’s men held on to win the Club World Cup, in addition to the UEFA Conference League they clinched last month.
For PSG, they will not be winning an unprecedented sextuple, but they will have a chance to claim the UEFA Super Cup next month against Tottenham.
President Bola Tinubu has received with profound sorrow and a heavy heart, news of the passing of his predecessor in office, Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari died on Sunday in a London hospital after an undisclosed illness.
In a tribute message he personally signed, President Tinubu said Buhari was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman.
“He served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, first as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. Duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life.
“He stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential. He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the country above personal interest at every turn.
“In this moment of national mourning, I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Aisha, with whom I have been in constant touch, his children, the entire Buhari family, and all who knew and loved him.
“I also extend my condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, most especially the people and traditional leaders of Daura Emirate.
“We honour his service. We reflect on his legacy. And we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul,” Tinubu’s statement read in part.
As a mark of respect to the former Nigerian leader, Tinubu directed that all national flags fly at half-staff across the country for seven days from today.
He said that he has also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) session on Tuesday, dedicated to Buhari’s honour.
Tinubu added that the Federal government will accord President Buhari full state honours befitting his towering contributions to our country.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
“And may his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness,” the statement added.
