Ahead of the 2023 presidential race, Presidential candidates have signed a peace agreement in Abuja, the nation’s capital, as general election campaigns formally begin.

Abdusalami Abubakar, the chairman of the National Peace Committee and a former military head of state, urged the 18 political parties, their presidential candidates, and their spokespeople to commit to issues-based campaigns because fake news and misinformation are already poisoning the atmosphere and endangering the peaceful conduct of the general elections in 2023.

Some members of the National Peace Committee at the programme include Bishop Hassan Kukah, John Onayeikan, John Momoh, Aliko Dangote, and Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar. The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, amongst others.

The Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar, New Nigeria Peoples Party’s Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress. Abdullahi Adamu, the national chairman of the APC, was also present.

However, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress was not present. Kashim Shettima, Tinubu’s running mate, represented him. 

The peace pact, according to the organisers, was essentially a contract to be signed to ensure a peaceful campaign and election, as well as the requirement for candidates to accept the results after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced them (INEC).

The first treaty was signed Thursday, and a second one would be inked in January 2023, just before the elections.

It’s not the first time Tinubu won’t be present at a gathering where presidential contenders were expected.

In addition, Shettima filled in for him at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Lagos in August, thus, he was forced to miss it.