Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged politicians and candidates preparing for the 2027 general elections to reject violence, intimidation and divisive campaign tactics, stressing that no electoral victory is worth the loss of a Nigerian life.
Akpabio gave the warning on Tuesday as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 elections. He said the campaign season should focus on competing political visions rather than actions capable of creating fear, hostility or violence.
The Senate President said political actors must resist the spread of false information and other forms of rhetoric that could deepen distrust among Nigerians. He warned that political competition should not come at the expense of the country’s peace and stability.
“We must reject violence and intimidation, and resist the falsehoods that travel swiftly and leave distrust in their wake,” Akpabio said. “No electoral prize is worth a Nigerian life. No victory deserves celebration if it leaves the nation wounded.”
He noted that preparations for the 2027 elections had already begun, with political parties selecting candidates and voters preparing to assess competing political programmes and ideas.
The warning comes amid growing attention to the conduct of political campaigns ahead of the elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission has separately warned politicians against inflammatory campaign language, including statements capable of provoking ethnic, religious or regional hostility. INEC has also outlined penalties under the Electoral Act 2026 for certain campaign offences.
The electoral body has said candidates found guilty of specified campaign offences can face a fine of up to ₦5 million or imprisonment for up to 12 months, while political parties can also face financial penalties for violations.
Security authorities have similarly called on political actors to avoid intimidation, threats, arms mobilisation and the use of thugs during the electoral process. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, recently urged politicians to compete with ideas rather than thuggery and said the police would act against those who threaten voters or electoral officials.
Akpabio’s latest warning therefore comes within a broader effort by electoral and security institutions to reduce the risk of violence as political activity increases. The National Peace Committee and other stakeholders have also been involved in efforts aimed at securing commitments to peaceful elections.
For voters, the central issue will be whether political parties and candidates translate such public commitments into peaceful conduct throughout the campaign and voting periods. Akpabio’s statement is a call for restraint, but the actual effectiveness of such appeals will depend on how political actors and relevant institutions behave as the election approaches.
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