Tinubu to Party Candidates: We May Exchange Jabs, but Don’t Weaponise Ethnicity, Religion

President Bola Tinubu has asked political parties and their candidates to shun violence and divisive rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the signing of the peace accord ahead of the 2027 polls, Tinubu said politicians should not resort to ethnic or religious sentiments in their campaigns, but focus on presenting superior ideas and policies to Nigerians.

The president, represented at the event by George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation, said elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair”, urging political actors to put the country’s interest above personal and partisan ambitions.

“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,” he said.

“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 president, who commended the national peace committee for its role in promoting peaceful elections since 2014, said Nigeria had recorded significant improvements in election management through the use of technology.

He cited the permanent voter cards and the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) as measures that had helped curb voting manipulation, ballot stuffing and snatching.

“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.

He also referenced the off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states held between October 2025 and August 2026, saying different parties won the elections and observers described the polls as free, credible and transparent.

Tinubu said greater transparency in elections would reduce post-election litigation, while urging civil society organisations, the media and Nigeria’s international partners to help strengthen democracy.

He said his administration and the All Progressives Congress were committed to the peace accord.

“As the campaign season kicks off, I commit myself and my party, the All Progressives Congress, to the tenets of this accord,” 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.”

The president called on other political parties and political actors to make similar commitments ahead of the 2027 elections.