ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has urged political parties and candidates preparing for the 2027 general elections to shun the use of ethnic, religious and other primordial sentiments in their quest for political power.
Tinubu gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja at the signing of the 2027 General Elections Peace Accord, where he was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
The President said political campaigns should strengthen national unity rather than undermine the social fabric of the country.
According to a statement by the Media Adviser to the SGF, Yomi Odunuga, Tinubu acknowledged that political disagreements and competing visions were legitimate aspects of democracy but stressed that electoral contests must not threaten national cohesion.
“In the spirit of the accord we have just signed, we must conduct ourselves in ways that strengthen, not tear, the fabric of our society.
“It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing visions 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 or primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power,” the President said.
Tinubu urged political actors to make the 2027 campaigns a contest of ideas, policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of Nigerians and advancing national development.
“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 stated.
The President also reaffirmed the commitment of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the principles contained in the Peace Accord, saying the party rejected violence, hate speech, misinformation and incitement.
“As the campaign season kicks off, I commit myself and my party, the All Progressives Congress, to the tenets of this accord.
“Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation, including through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, especially via social media. We are committed to peaceful, transparent elections that will strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and our nation’s prosperity. I encourage other political parties and political actors to do the same,” he said.
Tinubu reminded candidates and their supporters that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair, stressing that political opponents remain partners in the broader task of building the nation.
“Let us remember that elections are not a do-or-die affair. We are partners in the nation-building project. Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner,” the President said.
