- President Bola Tinubu has urged political parties and candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to reject violence, hate speech and divisive rhetoric, stressing that the election should not be treated as a “do-or-die affair.”
- The President urged politicians to focus on policies and development plans rather than exploiting ethnic and religious differences.
President Bola Tinubu has called on political parties and candidates participating in the 2027 general elections to avoid violence, hate speech and divisive politics, insisting that the polls must not be treated as a “do-or-die affair.”
The President made the appeal on Tuesday during the signing of the National Peace Accord for the 2027 elections in Abuja. Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, commended the National Peace Committee for encouraging peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the elections.
He noted that elections in Nigeria have often generated tension due to fierce competition for power but said reforms and technological innovations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have improved transparency in the electoral process.
“Since 1999, when our country returned to democratic governance under the stewardship of General Abdulsalami Abubakar and his team, every election period has brought its share of anxiety because of the nature of our politics and the intense competition for power by political actors,” Tinubu said.
The President urged politicians to focus on policies and development plans rather than exploiting ethnic and religious differences.
“It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing missions for our country. We may exchange occasional political jabs, but as members of the same household, the same national family, we must never resort to divisive and primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power,” he said.
“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 added.
Tinubu also pledged the ruling APC’s commitment to peaceful elections, stating that the party rejects violence, hate speech, misinformation and incitement, including the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media.
He concluded: “Let us remember that elections are not a do-or-die affair. We are partners in the project of nation-building. Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner.”
The remarks sparked reactions on social media, with several Nigerians referencing Tinubu’s previous political statements and questioning whether political actors would adhere to the call for peaceful elections.
@Francis Elizabeth: “But na yourself you suppose tell this thing na”
@Millicent Olachi: “My greatest challenge no pass watin I go chop this night”
@Abdulbariu Zakari: “Says by someone who said all is fair in politics”
@Ogunsola Idris Abolore: “Would you accept defeat when it comes to your turn”
@Enyah Obanyi: “He’s Playing the ostrich
A leopard can’t change it’s spot”
@Chukwuemeka Johnson: “But u said all is fair in politics
Is he aware that he said this??”
@Walter Ezinkwo: “For a Tinubu that said grab it, snatch it and run with it, am confused.”
@Ronke Oduyemi: “But in Lagos its a do or die affair.”
@Etins Creativity: “To the man that is always saying snatch it,grab it and run”
@Prince Keeva: “Strategy
So that men no go mount guard
Make nobody loose guard o”
@Peter Henry: “But u sent 30 governors and 50 senators to osun state”
@Brown Orija: “Pharaoh is that really you?”
@Felix Martino: “Thank God say even you know say you no go win”
@Noel JustNoel: “Did Tinubu even know he said that”
@Chukwu Nelson: “We sha hold you by your words”
@Gimbiya Deborah Jatau: “Is Tinubu aware he said this ?”
