Bishop Matthew Kukah, convener of the National Peace Committee, revealed that President Bola Tinubu did not sign a peace accord during his 2023 presidential campaign. Kukah stated that the committee cannot force candidates to sign the accord, which has become an electoral tradition.
At the Edo Election Security Townhall in Benin City, Kukah noted that the failure of candidates to sign the peace accord sends a wrong signal to Nigerians, which the opposition can exploit. He cited the example of former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, who initially did not sign the accord in 2019 but later did so after facing criticism.
Kukah emphasized that the National Peace Committee’s efforts are moral, not legal, and that they cannot compel candidates to participate. He expressed disappointment that Tinubu’s failure to sign the accord was not capitalized on by the opposition.
Key Points:
- Bishop Matthew Kukah reveals President Tinubu did not sign peace accord in 2023
- National Peace Committee cannot force candidates to sign accord
- Failure to sign accord sends wrong signal to Nigerians, can be exploited by opposition
- Kukah cites example of Atiku Abubakar’s initial refusal to sign accord in 2019
- Committee’s efforts are moral, not legal, and cannot compel participation
