Zamfara 2027: Lawal, 14 Governorship Candidates Commit to Peaceful Elections
By Yusuf Gwandu
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, and 14 other governorship candidates have signed a peace accord aimed at ensuring peaceful, credible and violence-free elections in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The accord was signed during an election security summit organised by the Zamfara State Police Command, with political party leaders, governorship candidates, security agencies and other stakeholders in attendance.
The summit was part of efforts to promote political tolerance, prevent electoral violence and ensure peaceful campaigns and other election-related activities across the state.
However, two prominent governorship candidates, Bilyaminu Shinkafi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Senator Kabiru Marafa of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), were absent from the event. Both candidates were represented by their respective party representatives.
Speaking at the summit, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Muhammad Bello, said the event was organised in compliance with a directive from the Inspector-General of Police to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
Bello warned politicians and their supporters against actions capable of disrupting public peace, including incitement to violence, vote buying, political thuggery and the destruction of campaign materials belonging to rival parties.
He stressed that the police command would take decisive action against anyone found engaging in such unlawful activities.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Zamfara State, Sani Muhammad, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to collaborating with security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful elections.
Governor Lawal, who participated in the signing of the accord, described himself as a strong advocate of peace and urged political actors to avoid bitterness, violence and other actions that could undermine the conduct of the 2027 elections.
He also called on political parties and their supporters to embrace tolerance, respect opposing viewpoints and recognise the rights of political opponents.
The police command disclosed that copies of the signed accord would be displayed at its state headquarters and forwarded to INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Zamfara for official records.
The agreement is expected to strengthen the commitment of political parties and their candidates to peaceful campaigns, political tolerance and a credible electoral process as Zamfara State prepares for the 2027 general elections.
