By HallowMace Africa.
As the official campaign season for Nigeria’s 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections commences on 19 August 2026, HallowMace Africa calls on all political parties, candidates, supporters, campaign organisations and other stakeholders to embrace a campaign season defined by issues, ideas, policies and solutions, rather than personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric, character assassination and political name-dropping.
The 2027 elections present another important opportunity for Nigerians to interrogate the records, competence, character, policies and programmes of those seeking their mandate. It is therefore imperative that political campaigns become platforms for meaningful engagement on the issues that directly affect the lives of Nigerians.
Political campaigns should not be reduced to exchanges of insults, allegations and counter-allegations.
Nigerians deserve to hear practical and measurable proposals on how political parties and candidates intend to address the country’s most pressing challenges.
The focus should be on questions such as: How will Nigeria achieve sustainable economic growth and create productive employment?, What practical measures will reduce poverty and improve citizens’ purchasing power?, How will governments address insecurity and protect lives and property?, What reforms will strengthen education and healthcare?, How will Nigeria attract investment while supporting local businesses and industries?, What policies will improve infrastructure and access to electricity?, How will political leaders strengthen institutions, accountability and the rule of law?, What specific plans exist to deepen democratic participation and improve governance?
Candidates should tell Nigerians what they intend to do, how they intend to do it, when they intend to do it and how Nigerians will measure their performance.
Political differences are inevitable in a democracy, but political competition must never become an excuse for hatred, violence or the destruction of national unity.
HallowMace Africa strongly urges political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and responsibly.
Campaigning is a democratic exercise; it is not warfare.
Political opponents are not enemies of the state, and disagreement over political ideas should never translate into physical confrontation, intimidation, destruction of property or threats against individuals and communities.
We therefore call on candidates, campaign spokespersons, social media influencers and party supporters to exercise restraint in their public statements, particularly on platforms where misinformation and inflammatory content can spread rapidly.
HallowMace Africa also calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain firm, impartial and consistent in enforcing the electoral laws, regulations and guidelines governing campaign activities.
The Commission must ensure that all political parties and candidates operate within the established legal framework and that no individual or political organisation is allowed to gain an unfair advantage through violations of campaign regulations.
Where there are credible and established violations, INEC and other relevant authorities must take appropriate action in accordance with the law, without fear or favour.
The integrity of the 2027 electoral process will depend not only on what happens on election day, but also on the conduct of political actors throughout the entire electoral cycle.
We therefore encourage INEC to intensify voter education, stakeholder engagement, monitoring of campaign activities and timely communication with political parties and the Nigerian people.
As an organisation committed to parliamentary advocacy, journalism and democratic accountability, HallowMace Africa will closely monitor the campaigns for the 2027 National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly elections, as well as other relevant electoral activities across the country.
Our objective is not to promote any political party or candidate.
Our responsibility is to promote responsible democratic participation and provide Nigerians with information that will enable them to make informed choices.
We will pay particular attention to: The quality of campaign promises and policy proposals; Candidates’ understanding of legislative responsibilities; Compliance with electoral laws and campaign guidelines; Hate speech, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric; The use of misinformation and disinformation; Violence and threats associated with political campaigns; The treatment and participation of women, young people and persons with disabilities; The integrity of campaign engagements and public debates; and The overall conduct of political parties and candidates.
Where necessary, we will report our observations to the Nigerian public, INEC, and relevant stakeholders, including the international community.
To every political party and candidate preparing to campaign across Nigeria: campaign hard, campaign passionately, but campaign responsibly.
Tell Nigerians what you stand for, present your manifesto, defend your record, challenge the record of your opponents where necessary.
We equally urge Nigerian voters not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence.
Ask questions, demand accountability, compare manifestos, examine records, attend debates and town-hall meetings where available, verify information before sharing it.
And, most importantly, vote according to your conscience and your assessment of the candidates’ competence, character, record and vision for Nigeria.
HallowMace Africa believes that Nigeria can conduct a credible, peaceful and issue-driven electoral campaign if political leaders and citizens collectively reject violence and irresponsible politics.
Election is not war.
God bless Nigeria!
Amb. Anderson Osiebe
Executive Director
HallowMace Africa
Amb. Hyginus John oguh
Head, Public Communications Desk
