2027 Election: Shagari appeal for decorum, issue-based campaign
Former Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari, has appealed to politicians across the country to embrace issue based campaigns, decorum and responsible political engagement.
Shagari warned that the growing resort to character assassination, derogatory remarks and inflammatory rhetoric against political opponents could undermine national unity, threaten the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians and peaceful conduct of 2027 general elections.
Shagari made the appeal in a press statement issued on Saturday through his Media Aide, Musa Ubandawaki, in which he expressed concern over the increasingly hostile tone of political discourse in the country, particularly as political activities gather momentum ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The former minister urged political leaders and their supporters to recognise that politics should be a contest of ideas, policies, leadership credentials and developmental programmes rather than an avenue for personal attacks, mudslinging, blackmail and deliberate attempts to destroy the reputations of opponents.
He maintained that political differences should never be allowed to degenerate into personal hostility capable of dividing communities, deepening ethnic and religious suspicions or creating unnecessary tension among citizens who share common national interests.
According to him, “Politicians must learn to play the game with decorum, maturity and a high sense of responsibility. Democracy thrives on constructive engagement, healthy competition and the presentation of alternative ideas, not on derogatory statements, character assassination and deliberate attempts to malign political opponents.”
Shagari further cautioned that reckless political utterances, particularly from influential political figures, could have far-reaching consequences beyond electoral contests, stressing that inflammatory statements have the potential to provoke supporters, heighten political tension and set the country on a dangerous path of division and instability.
He therefore called on political parties, candidates, campaign organisations and their spokespersons to make issues of governance, economic recovery, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure and employment the centrepiece of their campaigns, rather than engaging in personal attacks that offer no meaningful solutions to the challenges confronting Nigerians.
The former minister also reminded political actors that elections are temporary contests, while Nigeria remains a permanent collective heritage that must be protected by all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations, ethnic backgrounds or religious beliefs.
He urged political leaders to demonstrate statesmanship by placing the country’s peace, unity and stability above personal ambitions and partisan interests.
Shagari who chaired the National Inland Waterways Authority NIWA Governing board appealed to stakeholders to promote mutual respect, tolerance and responsible political communication, warning that no political ambition is worth sacrificing the hard earned peace and unity of the nation.
He stressed that the strength of Nigeria’s democracy would ultimately be measured not by the bitterness of political contests but by the maturity, civility and patriotism demonstrated by those seeking public office.
