Nigeria Forward (NF), a national socio-political group, has called on political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to prioritise issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against hate speech, personality attacks and dangerous rhetoric capable of threatening national unity.
The group made the call in a press statement issued on Monday, by it’s co-convener Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, in response to the commencement of public political campaigns across the country.
Nigeria Forward expressed concern over what it described as the growing tendency among some political stakeholders, particularly leading candidates, to resort to character assassination, campaign of calumny and other forms of personal attacks rather than presenting ideas, policies and programmes to the electorate.
According to the group, such practices undermine the principles of healthy political competition and could threaten peaceful coexistence, national unity and social cohesion.
It stressed that election campaigns should provide a platform for candidates to present their manifestoes, explain their policy priorities and demonstrate how their proposed programmes would address the needs of Nigerians.
The organisation also condemned the misuse of traditional and digital media platforms to spread fake news, hate speech and misinformation, noting that such practices were often employed by political individuals and groups to gain popularity and undermine their opponents.
While acknowledging that the pursuit of political power is a legitimate aspect of democracy, Nigeria Forward maintained that political ambitions must be pursued with decency, mutual respect, responsibility and patriotism.
The group urged Nigerian politicians to emulate established democratic practices in advanced democracies, where election campaigns are largely centred on issues, manifestoes, policies and programmes designed to improve the welfare of citizens.
“Our politicians must show a sense of responsibility and patriotism in their approach towards the 2027 electioneering campaign activities, thereby setting the pace and tone for a more responsive and patriotic electorate,” the statement said.
It added that citizens should remain committed to national unity, peace and development while exercising their democratic rights and responsibilities.
Nigeria Forward further called on civil society organisations, individuals, corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to hold political actors accountable for their statements and actions, particularly those capable of creating divisions among the populace.
The group said such vigilance was necessary to ensure that the build-up to the 2027 general elections remained peaceful and democratic, with responsible and patriotic leaders emerging through the electoral process.
