The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called for sustained investment in peace, justice, dialogue and inclusion as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Elections.
The Director-General of IPCR, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, made the call on Monday in Abuja at the Institute’s 2026 International Day of Peace Commemoration Lecture.
The event, attended by government representatives, peace practitioners, religious leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, focused on peacebuilding and democratic stability.
The 2026 International Day of Peace is being commemorated under the theme, “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
Ochogwu said the theme underscored the need to treat peace as a continuous process rather than a temporary response to crises.
“Peace is not a destination we reach once and for all, nor is it a seasonal intervention or a crisis response. It is a continuous investment—a daily commitment that must touch every citizen, every community, and every institution,” he said.
He said peace went beyond the absence of violence and required conditions that guaranteed justice, fairness, dignity and inclusion.
Ochogwu said the theme had particular relevance to Nigeria as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
He said IPCR had therefore adopted a domestic theme for the commemoration: “Renewed Hope Agenda: Investing in Peace for Democratic Stability—Everyday Pathways to Justice and Inclusion Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections.”
According to him, democratic stability could not be achieved through elections alone but required sustained commitment to justice, dialogue, inclusion and respect for the rule of law.
“The fundamental question before us is not whether we want peaceful elections—we all do. The question is, “What are we doing every day between now and 2027 to make peace possible?” he asked.
The IPCR Director-General identified farmer-herder relations, youth and women’s grievances, misinformation and hate speech, access to community-level justice and social inclusion as areas requiring sustained attention.
He said the Federal Government’s economic reforms and emphasis on inclusion and democratic governance could also contribute to peacebuilding by addressing conditions that could fuel grievances and instability.
IPCR Strengthens Conflict Prevention
Ochogwu said IPCR had intensified efforts to prevent election-related conflicts through its Early Warning and Early Response mechanisms.
He said the Institute had also engaged political actors, traditional institutions, women and youth networks across the six geopolitical zones and developed policy briefs on preventing electoral violence.
He stressed that peaceful elections were a collective responsibility involving government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions, the private sector and development partners.
“This is not a forum for blame; it is a forum for building,” Ochogwu said.
He urged stakeholders to focus on practical measures to strengthen social cohesion, reduce tensions, promote inclusion and safeguard democratic processes.
Yobe Highlights Peacebuilding Measures
Also speaking, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (Rtd), said the state had invested in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
He said factors including violent extremism, banditry, terrorism, political instability, climate change and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons continued to pose challenges to peace and development.
Buni said Yobe had strengthened its peace architecture through early warning and response mechanisms, peace education, community dialogue and capacity building in conflict management.
He also said the state was using technology to address information disorder and other factors capable of worsening tensions.
The governor said Yobe remained committed to supporting efforts aimed at improving security, economic resilience, inclusive growth and democratic stability.
CAN Urges Responsible Politics
In a goodwill message, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Daniel C. Okoh, described peace as the product of sustained investment in dialogue, resources and goodwill.
He said CAN remained committed to peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue, particularly through the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
Okoh urged governments at all levels to protect lives and property and promote conditions conducive to peace.
He also appealed to young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate violence as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.
“To our dear youth, especially in this electioneering period, I appeal to you: do not succumb cheaply to being used as instruments of violence by desperate politicians to cause mayhem,” he said.
The CAN president also urged political actors to focus their campaigns on issues and ideas rather than statements or actions capable of inflaming tensions.
He said politics should be based on competing visions for the country rather than violence.
Ochogwu, in his closing remarks, reiterated that peacebuilding required the participation of government, security agencies, civil society organisations, communities, religious institutions, the media and citizens.
He expressed confidence that the discussions would contribute to efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s peace architecture ahead of the 2027 elections.
