The Christian Conscience, a non-denominational pressure group, has urged political parties and candidates to make the 2027 election campaigns about policies, competence and national development rather than ethnicity, religion, insults and violence.
The group made the call at the conclusion of its monthly meeting in Lagos, according to a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Yetunde Akinluyi, and National Secretary-General, Kolawole Verrals, and issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Tunji Oguntuase.
In the statement made available on Thursday, the group said politicians should explain how they intend to tackle challenges confronting Nigerians, particularly in education, healthcare, security, employment, infrastructure 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,” the group said.
It urged candidates to demonstrate not only their political ambitions but also the competence and capacity required to deliver on their promises.
The call comes as Nigeria enters the formal campaign period for the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled August 19, 2026, for the commencement of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while campaigns for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will begin on September 9.
INEC has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6, 2027, for the governorship and State Assembly polls.
Campaigns are expected to end 24 hours before the respective election days.
The Christian Conscience specifically warned politicians against exploiting Nigeria’s ethnic and religious diversity for electoral advantage.
“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,” the group said.
It added that political disagreements should not degenerate into personal hatred, stressing that today’s political opponent could become tomorrow’s partner in national development.
The group urged politicians to “compete vigorously while preserving mutual respect and the unity of the country.”
It also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation and the mobilisation of political thugs during the electioneering period.
According to the group, peaceful political participation is essential to credible elections and the stability of the country.
It also urged voters to scrutinise the records, policies, competence and character of candidates instead of allowing ethnic or religious considerations to determine their choices.
The Christian Conscience said Nigerians should demand substantive answers from politicians on the country’s most pressing problems and judge candidates by their ability to offer practical solutions.
The intervention comes amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties and political actors already positioning themselves for what is expected to be a fiercely contested electoral cycle.
Concerns over inflammatory political communication have also increased as campaigns move into the formal phase. The National Broadcasting Commission has warned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and other participants in the information ecosystem against misinformation, hate speech and inflammatory content capable of undermining peaceful elections.
The commission has also called for fair and balanced coverage of political campaigns, including proper verification of political claims, allegations, statistics and assertions presented to the public.
For the Christian Conscience, the responsibility extends beyond politicians and the media.
It urged Nigerians to remain objective in assessing candidates and resist attempts to manipulate voters through divisive rhetoric, intimidation or violence.
With the 2027 campaign season now officially underway for presidential and National Assembly contests, the group said political competition should focus on ideas and the country’s future rather than the identities that divide Nigerians.
