On September 16, 2024, a claim went viral that the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, while being the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not sign the Peace Accord.
The claim was made by Bishop Matthew Kukah, the convener of the National Peace Committee while speaking at the Edo election security town hall meeting aired on Channels TV.
Bishop Kukah said “What is also very interesting is that the current president, who was the presidential candidate did not sign. It wasn’t my fault, it wasn’t our fault that the political opposition didn’t take advantage of it but the most important thing is that by not signing in Edo……It is a pity but we are not going to take anybody to court for not signing the Peace Accord”
He made the remarks in response to the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party leadership, refusing to sign the Peace Accord ahead of the governorship election in Edo state.
Claim: Bola Tinubu did not sign the Peace Accord as a presidential candidate in 2023
Verification:
What is the Peace Accord?
The National Peace Committee (NPC), in charge of organising, signing and ensuring compliance with the Peace Accord, was formed in 2014. According to the website, the NPC is a non-governmental initiative conceptualised in response to emerging threats occasioned by the 2015 general elections. It is an initiative made up of eminent elder statesmen who undertake efforts to support free, fair and credible elections as well as intervene in critical issues of national concern through high-level mediated and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Since 2014, the Committee has been headed by Abdulsalam Abubakar, Nigeria’s former military head of state.
Did Bola Tinubu sign the Peace Accord in 2023?
The CDD War Room found that two Peace Accords were signed by the presidential candidates of political parties in 2023. We found that the first one was signed on September 29, 2022, at the instance of Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) among others. However, Bola Tinubu of the APC was represented by his running mate, Kashim Shettima. He was said to be away in the United Kingdom.
The CDD War Room found that the second Peace Accord was signed on February 23, 2023. Present at the second signing included Bola Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, and Omoyele Sowore of the AAC.
Verdict: FALSE
The CDD War Room found that Bola Tinubu attended and signed the second Peace Accord in Abuja ahead of the presidential election. However, he was represented by his running mate, Kashim Shettima, during the first Peace Accord signing.
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