Sowore Critiques Peace Accord Amid Osun Election Violence

On Tuesday, Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress, dismissed the National Peace Accord, which was to be signed by presidential candidates for the 2027 general election, as a mere ritual. He referenced the deaths of 50 individuals during the Osun State governorship election on August 15 as evidence that previous peace pacts have failed to prevent political violence.

Sowore made these statements while speaking to journalists at the signing ceremony organized by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Abuja. He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the peace accord, arguing that it does not prevent violence, as demonstrated by the fatalities in Osun.

Sowore also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission for not completing the upload of election results promptly. He suggested that a "Justice Accord" could enhance the enforcement of peace agreements, emphasizing that the current peace accord has become a ceremonial event rather than a genuine commitment to peaceful elections.