President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday urged political parties and candidates to refrain from exploiting ethnic, religious and other primordial divisions as the country heads into its 2027 general election.
The President signed a national peace accord intended to curb violent and inflammatory campaigning.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, where he was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, President Tinubu described robust political disagreement as a normal part of democracy but warned that campaigns must not erode national cohesion.
He said “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 noted.
President Tinubu urged politicians to make the campaign a contest of ideas, policies and programmes that can improve living standards and accelerate Nigeria’s 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 said.
Reaffirming his and the ruling All Progressives Congress’s commitment to the accord, Tinubu said the APC rejects violence, hate speech and the spread of misinformation — including manipulation via emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and social media.
“We are committed to peaceful, transparent elections that will strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and our nation’s prosperity,” he said, urging other parties to follow suit. He also reminded candidates and supporters that elections are not “do-or-die” contests, and that all actors remain partners in Tinubu Signs Peace Accord, Urges Restraint Ahead of 2027 Vote
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday urged political parties and candidates to refrain from exploiting ethnic, religious and other primordial divisions as Nigeria heads into its 2027 general election, signing a national peace accord intended to curb violent and inflammatory campaigning.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, where he was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, Mr. Tinubu described robust political disagreement as a normal part of democracy but warned that campaigns must not erode 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,” he said. “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.”
Mr. Tinubu urged politicians to make the campaign a contest of ideas, policies and programmes that can improve living standards and accelerate Nigeria’s 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 said.
Reaffirming his and the ruling All Progressives Congress’s commitment to the accord, Mr. Tinubu said the APC rejects violence, hate speech and the spread of misinformation — including manipulation via emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and social media.
“We are committed to peaceful, transparent elections that will strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and our nation’s prosperity,” he said, urging other parties to follow suit. He also reminded candidates and supporters that elections are not “do-or-die” contests, and that all actors remain partners in nation-building.
The president lauded the National Peace Committee — chaired by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, with notable involvement from the Sultan of Sokoto and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah — for its role in convening the accord and promoting nonviolent, issue-based campaigning since 2014.
