Posted by Chinenye on Tue 18th Aug, 2026 - tori.ng
Peter Obi has challenged politicians preparing for 2027 to raise the standard of political campaigning and put Nigerians at the centre of their ambitions.
(Peter Obi. Photo Credit: Arise News)
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has advocated for peaceful, issue-focused campaign conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging politicians aspiring to public office to demonstrate behaviour befitting the positions they pursue.
Obi delivered these remarks at the National Peace Accord signing ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.
Addressing journalists prior to the ceremony, Obi expressed alarm regarding election-associated fatalities and urged Nigerians to prevent citizen d£aths resulting from electoral contests.
He argued that prospective office-holders should not require peace agreements to compel responsible conduct, but rather should establish exemplary standards through their actions.
He emphasised that candidates must campaign centring on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians whilst ensuring their behaviour aligns with the offices they seek.
The former Anambra State governor stated that politicians cannot legitimately demand the title "His Excellency" whilst failing to demonstrate excellence in their personal conduct.
He contended that the processes by which individuals attain elevated offices should themselves reflect the standards expected of those offices, achievable only through appropriate personal behaviour.
He characterised the peace accord as unnecessary for candidates genuinely seeking positions requiring exemplary conduct.
Obi called for remembrance and appropriate commemoration of individuals who perished during the recent Osun State governorship election, asserting that election-related violence must not become institutionalised within Nigeria's democratic framework.
He urged political actors to remain spiritually focused and conduct themselves in ways preventing future loss of life during electoral processes, recommending visits to families of the deceased and offering condolences.
Regarding his confidence in Nigeria's electoral mechanisms despite systemic challenges, Obi stated that his desire to reform the system itself justified his participation within it.
He characterised the designation assigned to the peace agreement as less significant than candidates' personal integrity, insisting that politicians consistently demonstrate values expected of public office holders at all times through their behaviour and communication.
His primary electoral concern centres on establishing an electoral environment enabling Nigerians to freely determine their leadership preferences through voting.
He identified the ultimate sanction for politicians violating electoral commitments as voter rejection at the ballot box, vesting accountability authority directly with the electorate.
Obi's statements emerge as political organisations intensify preparations for the approaching general elections, anticipated to centre on economic circumstances, security conditions, employment challenges, cost of expenditure and electoral credibility.
His emphasis on peaceful, substantive campaigns responds to Nigeria's documented history of election-related violence, alleged electoral fraud and loss of life during political contests, positioning candidate and political party accountability primarily with voters themselves.