President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged political parties and candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to shun violence, hate speech and divisive politics, stressing that the elections must not be treated as a “do-or-die affair.”
Tinubu made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of the National Peace Accord for the 2027 elections. He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The President commended the National Peace Committee for promoting peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the elections.
He acknowledged that elections in Nigeria have often been associated with tension due to intense competition for political power but noted that reforms and technological innovations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have continued to improve transparency in the electoral process.
Tinubu urged politicians to focus their campaigns on policies, ideas and development plans rather than exploiting ethnic and religious differences.
He said political opponents could disagree during campaigns but must avoid using ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking political power.
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“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people and accelerate Nigeria’s journey from a developing nation to a first-world country,” he said.
The President also pledged the commitment of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to peaceful elections, saying the party rejects violence, hate speech, misinformation and incitement, including the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media.
He urged all political actors to remember that elections are not a do-or-die affair and that Nigeria’s interests must come before individual or party interests.
“Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner,” Tinubu said.
