Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday said he refused to attend the recent signing of the National Peace Accord organised for the presidential candidates of the 2027 elections the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has always failed to participate in the process.
He also recalled that between 1999 and 2007, he had sued President Olusegun Obasanjo for 11 times, from the High Court up to the Supreme Court, and NEVER saw a judge but got favourable judgments, saying that things have changed since then.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, opened up when the Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Democracy, Diplomacy and Development (SCDDD), led by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, visited him in Abuja as part of its engagement with political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation was at Atiku’s residence to plead with him and other presidential contenders to promote peaceful, issue-based and credible campaigns ahead of the elections.
Atiku was referring to the National Peace Accord signed in Abuja on August 18 by presidential candidates and political parties ahead of the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections.
The peace accord, convened by the National Peace Committee in partnership with the Kukah Centre, committed political parties, candidates and their supporters to peaceful campaigns, respect for electoral institutions and issue-based engagement.
Arise News reports that apart from Atiku, President Bola Tinubu did not attend the ceremony in person but was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Among those who signed were Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Atiku told the Ariwoola-led council that he had been involved in the peace accord process in previous elections but became dissatisfied because, according to him, opposition parties were usually the ones participating while the ruling party stayed away.
He said, “I used to be a signatory to what is this peace committee. I started boycotting it last election until our former Head of State, General Abdulsalami, had to plead with me.
“I said, but it is one-sided. It is always the opposition parties that attend. The ruling party is never, never a participatory signatory to this peace committee. And if they are not, what is the point of my coming to sign?
“That is why even the last one (held last week), I refused to attend because it is one-sided. This is one challenge I think that we need to correct.”
The former Vice President said the responsibility for ensuring peaceful, free and credible elections should not be placed solely on politicians.
He argued that the government and the three arms of government also had important roles to play in the electoral process.
“The issue of peaceful conduct of elections should not be limited to only the political class. Now we have seen that all three arms of government may be complicit,” he said.
“Therefore, I will want to appeal to this noble and respectable body to make sure that there is no selective audience. Because we are not the only players. Not only the politicians are the players.
“The government is also a player. All the three branches, the legislative, the executive, the judiciary, are all players in a free, fair and credible election.”
Atiku also recalled his legal battles with former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007, saying he successfully challenged the then president in court without having to personally meet or speak to any judge.
He said: “Between 1999 and 2007, I had sued my boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, I think 11 times, from the High Court up to the Supreme Court. And I swear with Almighty God to our life, I never saw a judge. I never spoke to a judge. And I got judgment against President Obasanjo.”
According to him, the judiciary has since changed, arguing that even legislation passed by the National Assembly that is inconsistent with the Constitution is sometimes allowed to stand.
Atiku said he remained willing to work with the Council of the Wise but stressed the need for a level playing field ahead of the 2027 election.
“I can assure you that you will always find me willing and cooperative. But there should be a level playing field”, he said.
He also urged the council to engage political actors candidly, whether or not cameras were present.
“Yes, you can meet me in front of the cameras. But when you go to meet others, close the door. If you like, don’t allow any cameraman. But tell them the truth,” he said.
Earlier, Ariwoola congratulated Atiku on his emergence as the ADC presidential candidate and urged him to ensure that his campaign was free of hate speech, inflammatory statements and other conduct capable of provoking violence.
Ariwoola said the Council of the Wise was reconstituted in June 2026 to continue its intervention and mediation efforts before, during and after elections, having engaged political and other stakeholders ahead of the 2015, 2019 and 2023 elections.
He said the council considered it necessary to engage the presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 elections and remind them of their responsibility to ensure that campaigns were devoid of hate speech, inflammatory statements and utterances capable of provoking violence.
Ariwoola urged Atiku to abide by the ADC’s constitution and code of conduct and lead his supporters in complying with electoral laws and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The former CJN said Nigerians expected presidential candidates to focus their campaigns on issues affecting citizens and offer solutions to the problems confronting the country.
He said the conduct of the presidential candidates would be crucial to determining whether Nigeria could consolidate its democratic gains and prove wrong those who doubted the country’s democratic progress.
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