As the 2027 general elections draw closer with the commencement of public political campaigns by candidates and their political parties, Nigeria Forward (NF) a foremost national socio-political group reiterates its call on candidates, political parties and other stakeholders to refrain from utterances such as: personality attack, hate speech, and to shun all acts that are capable of panning the embers of discord and disunity among Nigerians.
In this regard, NF while advocating for issue based campaigns to promote national unity and social cohesion among Nigerians, we observe that certain statements by some stakeholders especially leading candidates, negates the principles of healthy campaigns, and instead focus on personality attacks which could jeopardize a peaceful co – existence in the country
The position of NF on the 2027 electioneering campaign engagements was contained in a Press Release issued from the organization’s Directorate of Communications and Strategy, in response to the commencement of public political campaigns by candidates and political parties across the country.
Nigeria Forward (NF) noted with particular concern how some politicians and others resort to campaign of calumny, character assassination, mischief among other negative tendencies that are capable of reducing the political ecosystem to an arena for personality clashes instead of a rendezvous of ideas that can serve as a compass of choice for the electorates to make the right decision in choosing their leaders.
In the same vein, NF frowns at the abuse of the media space especially digital platforms which serve as tool for the spread of fake news, hate speech and misinformation by opposition individuals and political groups in their bid to seek cheap popularity and take undue advantage over one another
Whereas aspirations for political power are normal in a democracy, however, such aspirations should be pursued with decency, decorum, mutual respect, responsibility and patriotism. NF also cautions that, “our politicians must take a cue from their contemporaries in the advanced and developed democracies, where electioneering campaigns are based on issues, manifestoes, policies and programmes that are intended to be implemented for the benefit of the electorates”
“Our politicians must show sense of responsibility and patriotism in their approach towards the 2027 electioneering campaign activities, thereby setting the pace and tune for a more responsive and patriotic electorates that are alive to their responsibility of being patriotic and committed citizens whose focus is national unity, peace and development” NF averred
The group also calls on all stakeholders, both individual and corporate organizations especially the civil society and well-meaning Nigerians to hold politicians accountable to their utterances and actions which are capable of creating divisions amongst Nigerians, towards a build up to the 2027 elections with a view to ensuring that only responsible, patriotic and democratic politicians, emerge successful to ensure continuity of national unity and co – existence
Signed:
Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, PhD
Co – Convener
Nigeria Forward.