Sowore mocks peace accord, cites Osun deaths despite similar pact

African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday dismissed the National Peace Accord to be signed by presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general election as a mere ritual.

He cited the deaths of 50 people in Osun State’s August 15 governorship election as proof that similar pacts have failed to prevent political violence in the past.

Sowore made the claim while fielding questions from our correspondent when he spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the National Peace Accord signing ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Abuja,

At the Peace Accord, presidential and governorship candidates for the 2027 elections are expected to formally commit to peaceful conduct.

Asked why he continued to participate in a process he appeared to have little faith in, Sowore replied, “I don’t have faith in it. I’m bringing faith to the system. Those are two different things.”

He challenged the characterisation of the Osun election as peaceful, pointing to what he said was an unresolved death toll from the poll.

“How can you say, in good conscience, that an election that led to the death of 50 citizens of any country is a peaceful election?

“We are here in an election that involves less than two million people in Osun State.

“Fifty people had to die as a result of that, and you are calling it a peaceful election,” he said.

The presidential candidate also faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission’s handling of the results process, saying, “As we speak, INEC is yet to complete the upload of all the election results three days after.”

“If we are going to have free and fair elections, you can’t have it halfway.

“You have to upload all the polling units into your portal timeously.

“It must be completed before you announce election results,” he added.

Sowore faulted the practical value of the peace accord, arguing that lives had been lost in the recent Osun governorship elections despite actors signing such pacts.

He alleged, “The people who signed the peace accord in Osun State killed 50 people after they signed the peace accord.

“So if you meant anything at all, why would you sign the peace accord and then go and carry a gun after that and kill 50 people?

“What will you be expecting after signing today’s peace accord? We conclude the ritual and move on to campaigning.”

He described the peace accord as a ceremonial opportunity for candidates to socialise.