2027: Ariwoola-led council urges presidential candidates to shun hate speech

In anticipation of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, a council chaired by former Chief Justice Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has called upon presidential candidates to refrain from promulgating hate speech, inflammatory remarks, and violence during their campaigns. This call was made during a meeting in Abuja with the Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke.

The council, known as the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development Council of the Wise, was established in 2014 with MacArthur Foundation support to foster peaceful, transparent, and credible elections, as well as strengthen democracy in Nigeria. Reconstituted in June 2026 as an 11-member body, the council aims to continue its advocacy and mediation efforts ahead of, during, and after the 2027 general elections.

The council expressed concern over the heightened political tension leading up to the election, which has raised fears of violence. They urged candidates and their supporters to adhere to electoral laws and guidelines, emphasizing the need for issue-based campaigns that address the challenges facing Nigerians. Ariwoola highlighted Nigeria's history of flawed elections marred by violence, hate speech, rigging, vote-buying, and other malpractices, citing the 2007 general election as a flawed one that led to the death of former President Umaru Musa YarAdua before the implementation of the Electoral Reform Committee's recommendations.

The council's main advice to Duke was to heed his wise counsel during the campaigns to ensure a successful election. They stressed the importance of maintaining an unblemished political campaign that avoids rancour, hate speech, inflammatory statements, and unguided utterances that could incite violence. Nigeria deserves peaceful and transparent 2027 elections, according to the council.

Duke, in response, assured the council that he and his party would conduct themselves lawfully and would not resort to violence or confrontation, even in the face of challenges. He called for a review of Nigeria's democratic system, emphasizing the need to let the people's will prevail unconditionally.