Why Nigeria needs a justice accord not just peace pledges

The recurring ritual of signing peace accords ahead of major elections in Nigeria has long served as a high-profile photo opportunity for political elites.

Yet, as past electoral cycles have demonstrated with tragic consistency, moral appeals and signed declarations routinely collapse in the face of desperate power struggles.

Peter Obi’s recent critique strikes at the heart of this enduring national paradox, without enforceable sanctions, a peace accord remains a toothless gesture.

Transitioning from performative peace declarations to an enforceable justice framework is essential if the nation is to safeguard its democratic integrity.

Every election cycle leaves behind a trail of avoidable bloodshed, voter disenfranchisement, and subverted mandates. While leaders commit on paper to non-violence, the lack of real consequences ensures that incitement, thuggery, and electoral fraud continue unchecked.

A peace pledge that relies entirely on voluntary compliance offers little deterrence to actors willing to subvert democratic processes for personal ambition. True deterrence requires accountability, where political actors understand that violating democratic norms carries severe legal and political penalties.

Holding political figures to high standards is not merely an idealistic expectation, it is a foundational democratic requirement. Those who aspire to the highest offices of state must demonstrate that their conduct mirrors the nobility of the titles they seek. The pathway to power defines the legitimacy of governance.

When politicians employ coercion, voter suppression, or systemic manipulation to secure office, the moral authority to govern is fundamentally compromised from the outset.

Achieving meaningful reform also demands continuous institutional strengthening and active civic engagement. Electoral authorities must match administrative assurances with transparent, tamper-proof operations that restore public faith in the ballot box.

Citizens should not have to risk their lives or question whether their votes will count. To protect the nation’s democratic future and honor the memories of those who lost their lives in past electoral struggles, Nigeria must move beyond symbolic ceremonies and institutionalize rigorous legal consequences for electoral misconduct.