The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has said he remains committed to Nigeria’s electoral process despite its shortcomings because he wants to reform the system from within.
Obi stated this while speaking at a Peace Accord organized by The Kukah Center In Abuja on the need for political actors to uphold the principles of electoral agreements and conduct themselves responsibly during elections.
Obi spoke with journalists at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, during the signing of the National Peace Accord to commit political parties and candidates to peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event was organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre
Asked whether he still believed in the electoral process despite its challenges, the former Anambra State governor said participation was necessary if meaningful change was to be achieved.
“Because I want to change the process, I have to go through it. So I have to believe in it,” Obi said.
He also criticised the tendency to treat peace accords signed by political actors as mere ceremonial exercises.
According to him, candidates seeking public office should demonstrate exemplary conduct and allow the principles of democracy to guide their actions.
“That’s what I’m saying. We don’t even need to sign this. We’re seeking an office where we should be exemplary,” he said.
Obi argued that political leaders could not claim excellence while participating in a process that lacked integrity.
“You can’t answer its excellence without being an excellent person. So that process that will make you to answer its excellence should be excellent. And the only way to do this is to conduct yourself properly,” he added.
He maintained that the significance of a peace agreement lies not in its title or the ceremony surrounding its signing, but in the willingness of political candidates to abide by its provisions.
