The Electoral Hub has urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to allow ideas, policies, competence and character to drive the 2027 election campaigns, warning against violence, hate speech, misinformation, intimidation and other practices capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.
The call followed the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in accordance with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The elections are scheduled to hold on January 16, 2027, while campaigns are expected to end at midnight on January 14, 2027.
In an official statement signed by the Director, The Electoral Hub, Princess Abijah Hamman-Obels, the organisation said the commencement of campaigns had ushered in a critical phase of the electoral cycle in which political parties and candidates would engage directly with Nigerians and present competing ideas, programmes and visions for the country’s future.
The Electoral Hub said the 2027 election would determine who leads Nigeria at the federal level and who represents citizens in the National Assembly, thereby shaping governance, legislation, public policies and national priorities between 2027 and 2031.
It urged politicians to use the campaign period to provide meaningful answers to issues affecting citizens, including the cost of living, economic opportunities, security, education, healthcare, employment, youth development, infrastructure, social protection and responsible management of public resources.
The organisation also identified constitutionalism, the rule of law, respect for human rights and greater participation of women, youths, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups as issues that should receive adequate attention during the campaigns.
The Electoral Hub, however, expressed concern that political competition in Nigeria had historically been accompanied by violence, hate speech, ethnic profiling, misinformation, intimidation, destruction of campaign materials and attacks on supporters of opposing parties.
It warned that such practices could undermine citizens’ rights, weaken confidence in the electoral process and threaten peaceful democratic participation.
The organisation therefore called on all political actors to uphold the commitments contained in the National Peace Accord on Issue-Based Campaigns signed on August 18, 2026, stressing that political competition should not become a “do-or-die affair.”
It emphasised that elections were not wars and that political parties and candidates should see themselves as competitors rather than enemies.
According to The Electoral Hub, political differences should be expressed through peaceful dialogue, lawful campaigning and credible policy alternatives instead of threats, intimidation or attacks on political opponents.
It also cautioned political parties and candidates against using campaign rallies to destroy or attack the property, offices, billboards, vehicles or campaign materials of opposing parties.
The organisation called on eligible voters to obtain and safeguard their Permanent Voter’s Cards, verify their voter information where necessary and educate themselves about candidates, political parties and their policy proposals.
It urged citizens to participate peacefully in campaign activities, reject electoral violence and avoid spreading misinformation, hate speech or inflammatory content. Voters were also encouraged to respect supporters of opposing political parties and report electoral malpractice and other violations through appropriate channels.
“Your vote is your Voice and Power. Use it wisely, peacefully and responsibly,” the organisation said.
The Electoral Hub further called on INEC and other electoral institutions to provide transparent, timely, accessible and accurate information while consistently enforcing electoral laws and regulations.
It said electoral institutions must remain impartial, independent and accountable while ensuring a level playing field for political parties and candidates.
Government and security agencies were also urged to protect citizens, candidates, journalists, observers and other electoral stakeholders throughout the campaign and electoral periods.
The organisation called for professionalism, impartiality and adherence to the law by security agencies, particularly in preventing and responding to political violence, intimidation and threats to fundamental rights.
The media, according to the Electoral Hub, also had a critical role to play by providing accurate, balanced and issue-based coverage, fact-checking political claims, scrutinising campaign promises and amplifying citizens’ concerns.
Civil society organisations and election observers were similarly urged to sustain independent monitoring, voter education, research, advocacy and accountability initiatives throughout the 2027 electoral cycle.
The Electoral Hub disclosed that, through its Voter Education and Sensitization Project, it would provide accessible and evidence-based information on the electoral process, candidates, political parties and voter rights and responsibilities.
It said it would also monitor and document campaign and electoral developments, promote compliance with electoral laws and support informed and inclusive participation through voter education, public awareness, policy and candidate analysis, digital engagement, stakeholder dialogues, research and evidence-based reporting.
The organisation said the 2027 campaign period presented Nigeria with an opportunity to deepen democratic practice and ensure that political competition was defined by robust debates, meaningful engagement and competing policy alternatives.
It urged candidates to tell Nigerians what they would do, how they would do it, when they would do it and how they intended to remain accountable to the people.
The Electoral Hub called on citizens to listen critically, question responsibly and vote wisely, reaffirming its commitment to supporting a credible, peaceful, transparent and citizen-centred electoral process.
“The campaigns have begun. Let the ideas compete. Let the citizens decide. Let Nigeria win,” the organisation said.
