2027: Nigeria Forward warns politicians against hate speech, personality attacks

Nigeria Forward (NF), a national socio-political group, has urged politicians and political parties to prioritise issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against hate speech, character assassination and rhetoric capable of threatening national unity.

The group’s position was conveyed in a statement issued by its Directorate of Communications and Strategy and signed by its Co-Convener, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, PhD, in response to the commencement of public political campaigns across the country.

NF said election campaigns should focus on policies, manifestoes, programmes and ideas that would enable voters to make informed decisions rather than degenerate into personal attacks and political mudslinging.

The group expressed concern over statements by some political stakeholders, particularly leading candidates, which it said undermined the principles of healthy political engagement and risked threatening peaceful coexistence.

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It noted that some politicians resorted to character assassination, misinformation and other divisive tactics, turning political contests into clashes of personalities rather than platforms for presenting ideas and solutions to the country’s challenges.

According to the group, such practices could deepen divisions among Nigerians and weaken the prospects for peaceful and constructive political participation.

NF also criticised the alleged abuse of the media space, particularly digital platforms, to spread fake news, hate speech and misinformation in pursuit of political advantage.

It urged politicians and their supporters to use media platforms responsibly and avoid content capable of misleading the public, inflaming tensions or undermining democratic engagement.

While acknowledging that competition for political power was a normal feature of democracy, the group stressed that political ambitions should be pursued with decency, mutual respect, responsibility and patriotism.

It called on Nigerian politicians to draw lessons from established democracies where election campaigns place emphasis on candidates’ policies, manifestoes and proposed programmes for improving the lives of citizens.

“Our politicians must show a sense of responsibility and patriotism in their approach towards the 2027 electioneering campaign activities,” the group said, adding that political leaders should set an example for citizens through their conduct and public statements.

NF further called on civil society organisations, corporate bodies and well-meaning Nigerians to hold politicians accountable for statements and actions capable of creating divisions in the country.

It said such scrutiny was necessary to encourage responsible political leadership and ensure that those who emerge victorious in the 2027 elections are committed to democratic principles, national unity, peaceful coexistence and development.