The Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, has called on political parties and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging political actors to prioritise constructive engagement, peaceful political participation and the presentation of credible policy alternatives over hate speech and political attacks.
Olufade made the call at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Zonal Stakeholders’ Meeting held at Koltol Hotel, Ikolaba GRA, Ibadan, where he charged political stakeholders to collectively work towards ensuring that the 2027 general elections are more peaceful than previous electoral exercises.
Addressing participants at the meeting, the Ibadan North council chairman urged all stakeholders to become ambassadors of peace, stressing that the society belongs to everyone and that maintaining peace before, during and after elections is a collective responsibility.
He emphasised the need for political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns with maturity, mutual respect and a sense of responsibility, irrespective of their political affiliations.
Speaking on the need to discourage hate speech, Olufade, in a light-hearted remark, referenced INEC’s position on sanctions against hate speech, noting that political actors should be mindful of the financial consequences of making inflammatory statements against opposition parties and their candidates.
He further stressed that political campaigns should focus on what parties and candidates intend to offer the electorate rather than resorting to name-calling, personal attacks and unnecessary political antagonism.
Olufade, who identified himself as a member of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), said his party had been engaging the electorate by communicating its programmes, intentions and proposed offerings rather than concentrating on attacking political opponents.
He therefore encouraged other political parties to adopt the same approach, insisting that the 2027 electioneering process should be driven by ideas, policies, development plans and issue-based debates rather than violence, hostility and divisive rhetoric.
According to him, a peaceful electoral process requires the commitment of every stakeholder, adding that political differences should never become a reason for hostility or threaten the unity and security of the society.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I; the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Adeniran Rahmon Tella; Ibadan North Local Government electoral officer, Lasilo Olayinka O, security operatives; representatives of political parties; civil society organisations; traditional institutions; religious bodies; the National Youth Council; the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC); the media and other relevant stakeholders.
The stakeholders’ meeting provided an avenue for engagement among critical electoral actors on the need to strengthen collaboration, promote peaceful political participation and ensure a credible and violence-free electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
