2027 Election Not Do-or-die Affair, Tinubu Tells Candidates

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged political parties and candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to shun violence, hate speech and divisive rhetoric, declaring that the election must not be treated as a “do-or-die affair.”

Tinubu spoke on Tuesday at the signing of the National Peace Accord for the 2027 general elections in Abuja. The event was organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre.

The President represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, commended the National Peace Committee, particularly its Chairman and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as the Sultan of Sokoto and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for sustaining efforts to promote peaceful and issue-based campaigns since 2014.

Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 had been accompanied by anxiety during election periods because of the intense competition for political power.

He, however, said the country had made significant progress in electoral management and transparency, particularly through technological innovations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“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,” he said.

Tinubu said the introduction of the Permanent Voter’s Card, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic card readers had helped reduce electoral manipulation, ballot stuffing and snatching.

According to him, the improvements had restored confidence in voters and made politicians more accountable to the electorate.

“These improvements have restored power to the voters who are now sure that their vote will count. Politicians are now more accountable to the people because votes count,” he said.

The President also cited recent governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states as evidence of Nigeria’s growing capacity to conduct elections with greater transparency and credibility.
He said the peaceful conduct of elections and transparent management of their outcomes could also reduce post-election litigation.

Tinubu said the signing of the Peace Accord was a solemn commitment by political leaders to place national interest above personal and partisan ambitions.

“We have gathered today to commit ourselves to a peaceful and transparent electoral process. Signing this Peace Accord is a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people that we, as leaders, will put the nation’s interests above personal or partisan ambitions,” he said.

He called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, international partners and the media to contribute to strengthening the country’s democratic institutions.

The President stressed that democracy went beyond periodic elections and the selection of political office holders, saying it also involved citizens’ participation, trust in public institutions and civic engagement.

“Democracy is not just about periodic elections that get politicians into government positions. Democracy is about how citizens participate in the affairs of their nation, build trust in public institutions, engage civically, and work together for good governance and a more just and equitable society,” he said.

Tinubu urged political parties and candidates to disagree on policies without resorting to ethnic or religious sentiments.

“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.

He called on the parties to campaign on the strength of their ideas and policy proposals.

“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.

Tinubu pledged the commitment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the principles of the Peace Accord, saying the ruling party would reject 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,” he said.

“Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation, including through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, especially via social media.”

He urged other political parties and political actors to make similar commitments ahead of the elections.

Tinubu said peaceful and transparent elections were essential to political stability, social harmony and economic progress.

He also reminded political actors that the outcome of an election should not be viewed as a matter of life and death, stressing that the country’s survival and unity should take precedence over partisan victory.

“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,” Tinubu said.

SOURCE: THEGUARDIAN