Tinubu Warns Politicians Against Ethnic, Religious Politics Ahead of 2027

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned political parties and candidates against exploiting ethnic and religious sentiments to gain political advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu issued the warning on Tuesday in Abuja at the signing of the 2027 Presidential Election Peace Accord, where he was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

The President urged political actors to focus their campaigns on policies, programmes and competing ideas rather than issues capable of deepening divisions in the country.

“In the spirit of the accord we have just signed, we must conduct ourselves in ways that strengthen, not tear, the fabric of our society. 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,” the President said.

Tinubu also pledged his commitment and that of the ruling All Progressives Congress to the Peace Accord, promising a campaign anchored on peace and national stability.

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

He said the APC would reject violence, hate speech, misinformation and incitement, including the use of artificial intelligence and social media to manipulate voters or heighten tensions.

“Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation, including through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, especially via social media. We are committed to peaceful, transparent elections that will strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and our nation’s prosperity. I encourage other political parties and political actors to do the same,” he said.

The President urged politicians and their supporters to avoid treating elections as a do-or-die affair, stressing that national interest should remain above political 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,” he added.

Tinubu commended the National Peace Committee, particularly former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for their continued efforts to promote peaceful elections.

He said the committee had, since 2014, facilitated peace accords aimed at encouraging political parties and candidates to embrace non-violent and issue-based campaigns.

The President also highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s electoral process since the return to democratic rule in 1999, particularly the deployment of technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He cited the Permanent Voter’s Card and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System as innovations that have helped reduce electoral malpractice and improve public confidence in the voting process.

Tinubu pointed to recent off-season governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States, saying the outcomes demonstrated growing confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

He noted that different political parties emerged victorious in the three elections, which he said were described by local and international observers as free, credible and transparent.

According to the President, greater confidence in electoral processes and outcomes would also help reduce post-election disputes and strengthen democratic consolidation.

Tinubu described the Peace Accord as a commitment by political leaders to place Nigeria’s interests above personal and partisan ambitions.

He called on the media, civil society organisations, development partners and citizens to support efforts to deepen democracy and promote peaceful elections.

The President said democracy goes beyond elections and the emergence of political office holders, stressing the importance of citizen participation, civic engagement, accountable institutions, good governance, justice and equity.

He expressed confidence that compliance with the Peace Accord by political parties, candidates and their supporters would contribute to peaceful campaigns and credible elections in 2027.