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2027: Election not do-or-die, says Tinubu, warns against ethnic, religious politics

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—Urges leaders to put nation’s interest above personal, partisan ambitions

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has warned political actors in the forthcoming general elections not to use divisive or primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power.

The President made the remark in Abuja at the signing of the peace accord ahead of the 2027 elections.

He urged political parties to commit to a peaceful and transparent electoral process, stressing that signing the peace accord is a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people that, as leaders, they will put the nation’s interest above personal or partisan ambitions.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Tinubu said that with the aid of technology INEC has recorded remarkable improvements in every election cycle.

“The introduction of the permanent voters card and BVAS, an electronic card reader, has eliminated voting manipulation, ballot stuffing, and snatching at polling units,” he said.

He noted that since 1999, when the country returned to democratic governance under the stewardship of General Abdulsalami Abubakar and his team, every election period has brought its share of anxiety because of the nature of the nation’s politics and the intense competition for power among political actors.

“It is my pleasure to be here today to take part in this significant event, which precedes the start of the political campaign ahead of the January and February 2027 general elections.

“I thank members of the National Peace Committee (NPC), especially our former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for convening this important occasion.

“Our nation owes the NPC a debt of gratitude for your steadfastness since 2014 in promoting peace accords that commit political parties and candidates to run non-violent, issue-based campaigns during national and off-cycle state elections.”

The President said that while politics and the contest for power can be loud and often create tension and disagreement among politicians, political actors must acknowledge the progress the country has made in its electoral process in terms of transparency and election management by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“With the aid of technology, INEC has recorded remarkable improvement in every election cycle,” he said.

According to Tinubu: “These improvements have restored power to the voters, who are now sure that their vote will count. Politicians are now more accountable to the people because votes count. These polls have also demonstrated our capacity as a people to conduct ourselves with maturity and restraint.

“Between October 2025 and August 15, 2026, we witnessed three off-season polls in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states. Different parties won them, and local and foreign observers described them as free, credible, and transparent. When the process and outcome are manifestly transparent, we see less post-election litigation in our courts.

“We have gathered today to commit ourselves to a peaceful and transparent electoral process. Signing this peace accord is a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people that we, as leaders, will put the nation’s interest above personal or partisan ambitions.”

He called on all Nigerians, civil society organisations, foreign partners, and the media to join hands in deepening and building a stronger, more vibrant democratic society.

“Democracy is not just about periodic elections that get politicians into government positions. Democracy is about how citizens participate in the affairs of their nation, build trust in public institutions, engage civically, and work together for good governance and a more just and equitable society.

“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.

“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people and accelerate Nigeria’s journey from a developing nation to a first-world country.

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

“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.”


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‘She’s demoralised’ – Bashir reacts as Aisha Yesufu says she won’t follow Obi to campaigns

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Former presidential media aide, Bashir Ahmad has suggested that a chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Aisha Yesufu may have been demoralised following her inability to secure the party’s ticket to contest for the FCT Senate in 2027.

Bashir’s Reaction followed a comment by Aisha, who said she will not be accompanying the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi during the 2027 campaign tour.

She said, “Yes, I will still campaign with Peter Obi when necessary, but you might not see me travelling around with him as much as possible.”

Reacting, Bashir, an All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain said Aisha Yesufu has the right to be demoralised, stating that the NDC presidential candidate failed to “stand up for her to secure the senatorial ticket.”

In a post on his official X handle, Bashir wrote, “Aisha Yusuf has every reason to feel demoralised and she has announced that she will not be campaigning for Peter Obi state by state as she did in 2023.

“It is a well known fact that Mr Peter, her principal, could not stand up for her to secure the senatorial ticket, despite the fact that she has consistently stood by him since joining his team.

“When it mattered most, he appears to have chosen to protect his own presidential ticket rather than stand up for someone who had stood up for him. In politics, loyalty should be reciprocal.

“Something his deputy, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, would never do. In Kano, he went as far as ensuring that his own son secured the deputy governorship ticket. That is what standing by your people looks like.”




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Osun election: Adeleke won through inducement — AAC candidate, Esan alleges

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The African Action Congress, AAC, governorship candidate in the just concluded election in Osun State, Olajide Esan, has attributed the victory of the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, to financial inducement.

Esan made this allegation on Wednesday during a live appearance in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’.

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2027 Polls: Ebonyi APGA Reps candidate demands probe into murder of supporter

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The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, has called for a thorough investigation into the murder of Elder Onwe Ubochi, after his participation in a rally organised by the party in  Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Ubochi, a resident of Osege Village, Umuogudu Oshia Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA, was reportedly found dead after participating in a prayer session and backing of APGA candidates on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Ogalagu, in a statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki on Wednesday, described the incident as “gruesome and dastardly”, urging the police and other relevant security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.

According to the APGA candidate, Ubochi was hale and hearty when he attended the gathering and participated in the traditional activities associated with the event.

He said the deceased later left the venue for his residence alone but was subsequently reported missing, prompting members of his family to search for him throughout the night.

Ogalagu alleged that Ubochi was waylaid while returning home and killed, adding that his body was later reportedly discovered in a stream some distance from the road leading to his residence.

“My dear brothers and sisters, it is with a deep sense of personal loss that I hereby condemn the gruesome murder of Elder Onwe Ubochi,” he said.

Ogalagu disclosed that the police had been informed of the incident and that the deceased’s remains had been deposited in a mortuary.

He expressed confidence that the security agencies would conduct a professional investigation capable of establishing the circumstances surrounding the death.

“No stone will be left unturned in the investigation of this dastardly murder, and the person or persons involved will surely face the law,” Ogalagu said.

He urged his supporters and other residents of the constituency to remain calm and law-abiding, warning against any action that could lead to reprisal attacks or further escalation of tension.

The APGA candidate alleged that the incident could be connected to political threats reportedly issued in the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, but stressed that the responsibility for determining the cause and circumstances of the death rested with the relevant security agencies.

“The killing of Elder Onwe Ubochi is clearly a fulfilment of the threats issued by expiring political actors in Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency,” he alleged.

Ogalagu called on security agencies to investigate not only the death but also any reported threats against residents for supporting opposition political parties or candidates.

He urged APGA supporters not to be intimidated by what he described as threats, intimidation and political conspiracy, insisting that the democratic process must be allowed to thrive without violence.

“No amount of threats, intimidation, political conspiracy or shedding of innocent blood will be enough to stop an idea whose time has come for fulfilment,” he declared.

The development comes against the backdrop of intensified political activities in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and their candidates stepping up consultations, grassroots mobilisation and campaigns for support.

Meanwhile, a report circulating on social media has alleged that some political stakeholders in Ohaukwu warned residents against supporting opposition candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The report also alleged that the deceased was killed after endorsing the APGA candidate.

However, the claim has not been independently verified, and there is currently no established evidence conclusively linking Ubochi’s death to his political activities or the endorsement event.

Several political figures were also mentioned in the social media report in connection with an APC rally held at 135 Ezzamgbo, the Ohaukwu LGA headquarters, on Tuesday, 18th August 2026, warning residents of the council area against supporting any candidate of the opposition parties in every election.

Ogalagu condoled with the deceased’s family and urged them to remain strong, assuring them that justice must be pursued through lawful means.

He also prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul, while calling on political actors across the constituency to uphold peace, tolerance and respect for the rule of law as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.




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