Christian Conscience Urges 2027 Politicians: Focus on Issues, Not Division

A non-denominational advocacy body, the Christian Conscience, has called on political figures to champion campaigns centered on critical national issues as the 2027 general elections draw closer. The group strongly advised against the use of ethnic and religious sentiments, emphasizing that political discourse should prioritize national development rather than inciting violence, intimidation, or deploying political thugs.

This crucial message was conveyed in a statement released on Thursday to PUNCH Online. The statement, which followed the group's monthly meeting in Lagos State on Tuesday, was jointly endorsed by its National Chairman, Yetunde Akinluyi, and National Secretary-General, Kolawole Verrals, and subsequently issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Tunji Oguntuase.

With the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) schedule indicating that campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, and those for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly on September 9, 2026, the Christian Conscience implored aspirants to articulate their strategies for improving citizens' welfare across vital sectors like education, healthcare, and the economy.

“Politicians should campaign with issues, not insults. Nigerians deserve to know what candidates intend to do about jobs, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure and the economy. Campaigns should be about presenting credible ideas and demonstrating the competence to deliver them,” the group asserted.

Further, the Christian Conscience stressed the importance of avoiding campaigns that exploit ethnic or religious affiliations. It underlined that despite personal ambitions, politicians must “compete vigorously while preserving mutual respect and the unity of the country.” The statement partly read, “Nigeria belongs to all of us. Political leaders must resist the temptation to weaponise ethnicity or religion. Statements capable of inflaming ethnic, religious or regional tensions have no place in a healthy democracy. Political disagreement should never become personal hatred. Today’s opponent may become tomorrow’s partner in national development. Politicians must, therefore, compete vigorously while preserving mutual respect and the unity of the country.”

The group also appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation, and the deployment of political enforcers throughout the electioneering period. It urged Nigerians to critically and objectively evaluate candidates vying for public office, encouraging them to “scrutinise the track record, policies, competence and character of candidates and to demand substantive answers to the challenges confronting the nation.”

Emphasizing that peaceful political participation is fundamental to credible elections and national stability, the Christian Conscience advised political actors against mobilizing groups to attack rivals or threaten voters. This warning comes shortly after the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Wednesday cautioned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers, and other information ecosystem participants against using their platforms to disseminate misinformation, hate speech, inflammatory content, or any material that could jeopardize peaceful elections. The NBC called for fair and balanced reporting of all political campaigns by licensed broadcasters, demanding proper editorial verification to prevent the promotion or suppression of any political entity, candidate, or viewpoint, as well as the “unverified presentation of political claims, allegations, statistics or assertions as facts.”