President Bola Tinubu has urged political parties and their candidates to avoid violence, hate speech and divisive rhetoric as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Mr Tinubu made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during the signing of the National Peace Accord, where political actors committed to a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
The president said politicians could engage in robust political competition and “exchange jabs”, but warned them against turning ethnicity and religion into weapons during campaigns.
He urged candidates to focus their campaigns on policies, ideas and their plans for improving the lives of Nigerians, rather than exploiting the country’s ethnic and religious differences.
“Politics is about ideas, not about division,” Mr Tinubu said, stressing that political disagreements should not threaten national unity or peaceful coexistence.
The president also called on political leaders to place the interests of Nigeria above personal and partisan ambitions, saying elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair.
The peace accord, signed ahead of the 2027 presidential election, commits political parties and candidates to rejecting violence and respecting democratic principles before, during and after the polls.
Mr Tinubu’s appeal comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections, with major parties and opposition groups already positioning themselves for what is expected to be a closely contested presidential race.
The president’s warning also comes amid growing concerns over misinformation, hate speech and the use of ethnic and religious narratives to influence voters. Analysts have warned that such tactics could deepen existing divisions and undermine confidence in the electoral process.
Political leaders and candidates who signed the accord are now expected to uphold its commitments and ensure that their campaigns remain peaceful, issue-based and respectful of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
