Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has explained his decision to stay away from the recent National Peace Accord signing, saying his concerns stem from what he described as the ruling party’s repeated failure to participate in similar agreements.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

Ariwoola urges ADC candidate to lead issue-based campaign

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has explained why he refused to attend the recent signing of the National Peace Accord, accusing the ruling party of always failing to participate in the process.

Atiku spoke yesterday when the Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Democracy, Diplomacy and Development, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, visited him in Abuja as part of its engagement with political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The council was at Atiku’s residence to urge him and other presidential contenders to promote peaceful, issue-based and credible campaigns ahead of the elections.

Atiku was referring to the National Peace Accord signed in Abuja on August 18 by presidential candidates and political parties ahead of the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 General Elections.

The accord, organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with the Kukah Centre, committed political parties, candidates and their supporters to peaceful campaigns, respect for electoral institutions and issue-based engagement.

President Bola Tinubu did not attend the ceremony in person and was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Among those who signed were Peter Obi, Omoyele Sowore, Adewole Adebayo while Atiku and the ADC were notably absent from the ceremony.

Atiku told the Ariwoola-led council that he had been involved in the peace accord process in previous elections but became dissatisfied because, according to him, opposition parties were usually the ones participating while the ruling party stayed away.

The former vice president said the responsibility for ensuring peaceful, free and credible elections should not be placed solely on politicians.

He argued that the government and the three arms of government also had important roles to play in the electoral process.

Atiku also recalled his legal battles with former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, between 1999 and 2007, saying he successfully challenged the then president in court without having to personally meet or speak to any judge.

According to him, the judiciary has since changed, arguing that even legislation passed by the National Assembly that is inconsistent with the Constitution is sometimes allowed to stand.

Atiku said he remained willing to work with the Council of the Wise but stressed the need for a level-playing field ahead of the 2027 election.

He also urged the council to engage political actors candidly, whether or not cameras were present.

Earlier, Ariwoola congratulated Atiku on his emergence as the ADC presidential candidate and urged him to ensure that his campaign was free of hate speech, inflammatory statements and other conduct capable of provoking violence.