A non-denominational pressure group, the Christian Conscience, has implored politicians to maintain issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, as it cautioned them against ethnic and religious sentiments.
The group noted that campaigns should address matters that affect national development, rather than encourage violence, intimidation and the use of political thugs.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the group’s National Chairman, Yetunde Akinluyi and National Secretary-General, Kolawole Verrals, and issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Tunji Oguntuase, at the conclusion of its monthly meeting in Lagos State on Tuesday.
A copy of the statement was made available to PUNCH Online on Thursday.
According to the timetable from the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Presidential and National Assembly campaigns commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for September 9, 2026.
It urged politicians to make a case for how they intend to improve the lives of the citizenry in critical sectors such as education, healthcare and the economy.
“Politicians should campaign with issues, not insults. Nigerians deserve to know what candidates intend to do about jobs, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure and the economy. Campaigns should be about presenting credible ideas and demonstrating the competence to deliver them,’ the group said.
The Christian Conscience noted that politicians should avoid making campaigns along ethnic and religious lines, adding that despite their personal ambitions, they should “compete vigorously while preserving mutual respect and the unity of the country.”
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Political leaders must resist the temptation to weaponise ethnicity or religion. Statements capable of inflaming ethnic, religious or regional tensions have no place in a healthy democracy.
“Political disagreement should never become personal hatred. Today’s opponent may become tomorrow’s partner in national development. Politicians must, therefore, compete vigorously while preserving mutual respect and the unity of the country,” the statement partly read.
The group further appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation and the use of political thugs during the electioneering period.
It called on Nigerians to be objective in their assessments of individual candidates vying for political offices, as it urged them to “scrutinise the track record, policies, competence and character of candidates and to demand substantive answers to the challenges confronting the nation.”
The Christian Conscience urged political actors to refrain from mobilising groups to attack opponents or threaten voters, describing peaceful political participation as essential to credible elections and the stability of the country.
The National Broadcasting Commission, on Wednesday, warned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and other participants in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding information ecosystem against the use of their platforms to spread misinformation, hate speech, inflammatory material and other content capable of undermining peaceful elections.
