Stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral process have called for peaceful conduct, fairness and responsible information sharing ahead of the 2027 general elections to strengthen democracy in the country.
The stakeholders, including media practitioners, security agencies, political parties and the electorate, also advocated issue-based campaigns centred on policies, development plans and solutions to the challenges facing Nigerians, rather than violence, hate speech, misinformation and personal attacks.
Speaking on the need to sustain democracy during the 2027 general elections, a public affairs analyst, Daisi Adetarami, urged the electorate to take their destiny into their hands by rejecting vote buying and voting for candidates of their choice based on their credibility and capacity.
Adetarami stressed that voters must resist financial inducements and other practices capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
On security, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command, Jimoh Abayomi, said measures were already in place to prevent possible security threats before, during and after the elections.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, Leke Adegbite, highlighted the role of the media in promoting accountability, fact-checking information and ensuring accurate and balanced coverage of political activities.
Adegbite urged journalists to uphold professionalism and avoid disseminating unverified information capable of misleading the public or threatening peaceful coexistence.
Similarly, the Head of the Voter Education and Publicity Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ondo State, Olayinka Ogunseye, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections.
Ogunseye stressed the importance of voter education and adherence to electoral guidelines in ensuring a transparent electoral process.
The stakeholders called on political parties and their supporters to shun electoral violence, political intimidation and other malpractices, while urging security agencies to remain neutral and professional in the discharge of their duties.
They maintained that credible and peaceful elections require collective responsibility, urging Nigerians to work together to protect the country’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
