The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has explained why its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, did not attend the signing of the 2027 National Peace Accord.

According to Channels Television, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said during an interview on the station’s Sunrise Daily that the decision was deliberate and intended to draw attention to what the party described as inadequate action against political violence and provocative conduct.

He said political parties and candidates had repeatedly signed peace agreements before elections, yet incidents of violence and harassment continued without what he described as an adequate response from the National Peace Committee.

“We’ve been signing this thing year in, year out, every election cycle,” Abdullahi said.

“So, what is the point? So, it’s our way of saying no,” he added, explaining the reason for Atiku’s absence.

The National Peace Accord was organised ahead of the 2027 general elections to promote peaceful campaigns, issue-based politics and respect for the electoral process. Several political candidates attended the signing, but Atiku did not.

The ADC spokesman said the party was not against efforts aimed at ensuring peaceful elections but wanted the process to involve stronger accountability.

“If we want to be part of this, if you want to be taking us seriously, then you need to up your game,” he said.

Abdullahi also argued that the Peace Committee should not limit its role to organising signing ceremonies but should ensure that political actors comply with the commitments they make.

“We are saying you need to do more. It’s not just to gather us for the ceremony of signing,” he added.