President Tinubu's absence shows Peace Pact is not a serious affair - Sowore

The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised President Tinubu's absence from the signing of the National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Presidential candidates, including Sowore, Peter Obi, Donald Duke and others, attended the peace accord signing ceremony which was held in Abuja on Tuesday, August 18.

In a chat with Channels TV this morning, Sowore mentioned that President Tinubu's decision not to attend the ceremony showed that the President did not consider the peace pact a serious affair.

President Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Sowore argued that the president, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, should have personally attended the ceremony to demonstrate his commitment to preventing electoral violence.

"I told them (opposition) that whatever they signed there was null and void because they are not parties to the election. In all the candidates in this election, the President of Nigeria is the number one controller of violence, officially, because he is Commander-in-Chief for good and for bad. So, if he is not there, it shows that this is not a serious affair," he said

The AAC candidate argued that Tinubu's physical presence would have given the accord greater moral weight and demonstrated that the government was committed to the principles contained in the agreement.

"He should have shown example as a leader to say, if this thing is going to be done 20 times, I will be there to approve my signature on paper if you believe in it. This shows he doesn't even believe in what we are doing.

If you are serious with non-violence, it should start with the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. It will give moral support to whatever was being done yesterday," Sowore said

by Linda Ikeji at 19/08/2026 12:57 PM | Share this Story