President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a fresh warning to political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence, intimidation and other anti-democratic activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, directing security agencies to deal firmly with anyone threatening public order.
The President said political campaigns must focus on issues, competing ideas and policies capable of improving the welfare of Nigerians rather than violence and hostility among supporters of rival political parties.
Tinubu made the position known in a State House press statement issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, amid reports of violent incidents accompanying political activities in different parts of the country.
He condemned all forms of political violence, insisting that disagreements arising from party affiliations and political ambitions should never turn Nigerians into enemies.
According to the President, the country’s democratic process should provide an opportunity for political parties and candidates to present competing ideas, discuss national challenges and offer solutions that would promote development and improve the living conditions of citizens.
“Our campaigns should be about issues, a contestation of ideas that promote the welfare of our people and the progress of our country,” he said.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring a peaceful, free and fair election, while urging political leaders and their supporters across party lines to demonstrate responsibility and restraint throughout the campaign period.
He emphasised that belonging to different political parties or pursuing different political ambitions did not make Nigerians enemies, describing the country as one household whose members occupy different rooms.
“As Nigerians, we are members of the same household living in different rooms. Therefore, our politics must elevate human conditions and focus on national progress and development,” the President stated.
The President also reiterated his earlier directive to security agencies to maintain public order and respond firmly to individuals or groups seeking to undermine peace during political activities.
He specifically authorised security agencies to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force, warning that the government would not tolerate irresponsible conduct by politicians or their supporters.
“Security agencies are therefore authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force,” Tinubu declared.
However, the President also stressed that security agencies must ensure that all political parties and candidates are protected and allowed to campaign freely in every part of the country without intimidation, harassment or fear for their safety.
He said the administration remained committed to an orderly electoral process in which political actors could exercise their democratic rights without molestation.
The statement comes as political activities and preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with concerns over violence, political intimidation and disruptions at campaign events drawing attention to the responsibility of political parties, security agencies and electoral institutions.
Tinubu’s warning places particular emphasis on the need for political competition to remain peaceful and issue-based, while making clear that individuals who engage in thuggery or acts capable of disrupting public order would face security enforcement.
The President called on political leaders across party lines to uphold democratic values, promote national unity and ensure that the 2027 election season does not become an avenue for violence and division.
He maintained that political differences should be settled through democratic engagement and the exchange of ideas, rather than confrontation and attacks on opponents.
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