- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu and the African Democratic Congress candidate for the 2027 General Election, Atiku Abubakar, have stirred controversies with their absence at the signing of the first Peace Accord ahead of the election.
Presidential candidates and leaders of their parties had on Tuesday converged at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja to sign the first Peace Accord in a bid to address electoral violence at the poll.
The event was highly attended by several political stakeholders and religious leaders.
However, Tinubu and Atiku were noticeably absent at the signing which had other candidates like the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi; the African Action Congress candidate, Omoyele Sowore; and Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party in attendance.
Also in attendance at the signing was the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, and renowned clergyman, Bishop Matthew Kukah.
While the reason behind Tinubu’s absence largely remains unknown, the president and candidate of the All Progressives Congress’ candidate was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, and national leaders of the party led by its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
It however remains unclear who represented Atiku at the event as the ADC National leaders were also absent.
The development had sparked mixed reactions from netizens with some calling out both candidates, especially Tinubu, over their absence at the event.
Some also faulted Obi’s appearance at the event, stressing that the peace signing is irrelevant with the absence of Tinubu and Atiku.