Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress, has expressed strong skepticism regarding the National Peace Accord set to be signed by candidates for the upcoming 2027 general elections. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on August 15, Sowore dismissed the initiative as a mere formality, citing the tragic deaths of 50 individuals during the recent governorship election in Osun State as evidence of the ineffectiveness of such agreements in preventing political violence.

Sowore made his remarks during the National Peace Accord signing ceremony organized by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar. This event aims to encourage candidates to commit to peaceful electoral conduct. However, Sowore challenged the notion that the Osun election was peaceful, highlighting the unresolved death toll as indicative of the serious issues plaguing the electoral process.

“How can you say, in good conscience, that an election that led to the death of 50 citizens of any country is a peaceful election?” Sowore questioned, emphasizing the gravity of the situation in Osun, which involved less than two million voters. He further criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its handling of the election results, noting that the commission had yet to complete the upload of all results three days after the election.

Sowore argued that for elections to be deemed free and fair, all results must be uploaded in a timely manner before any announcements are made. He expressed concern that the peace accord would not change the underlying issues, stating, “The people who signed the peace accord in Osun State killed 50 people after they signed the peace accord.” He suggested that the signing of the peace accord has become a ritual rather than a meaningful commitment to peace.

In a call for reform, Sowore proposed the introduction of a Justice Accord that would impose consequences on those who violate the peace agreement. He lamented the lack of accountability for the violence in Osun, stating, “It’s like we have just sacrificed them to the gods of politics.”

Sowore also criticized Osun State's governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, for endorsing President Bola Tinubu after his re-election, arguing that such endorsements should not be based solely on ethnic lines. He praised the voter turnout in Osun, which he described as a sign of civic engagement, despite the violence that marred the election.

As the political landscape prepares for the 2027 elections, Sowore emphasized the need for revolutionary change, asserting that his party offers the best programs and ideas to lead the country forward. The National Peace Committee, established in 2014, aims to facilitate peaceful elections through initiatives like the Peace Accord, which has now been signed by various political parties and candidates ahead of the upcoming elections. The ceremony featured messages from key figures, including INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan and the Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, while President Tinubu was expected to address the gathering later in the day.