- Safiu Kehinde
The Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has charged candidates for the 2027 Presidential Election to ensure that their election campaign largely focus on communicating their manifestos to the voters rather than resorting to inciteful statements.
Amupitan maintained that Nigerians are interested in hearing clear and measurable manifestos that provides solutions to the economic challenges, national security, and healthcare amongst others rather than insults and verbal exchange.
The INEC chairman gave the charge during his address at the Peace Accord signing on Tuesday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Amupitan described election as a competitive job interview which requires adherence to rules.
‘Electoral contest is a constitutional democracy and not just total wars. They are competitive job interviews before the electorate. Just like seeking a job, therefore you must succumb to the rules.
‘The 2027 General Election presents complex issues, economic security, and developmental questions. It demands rigourous, intellectual, and policy-focused debates. Nigerians do not want insults. They want solutions.
‘They deserve to hear clear, concrete, and measurable manifestos detailing how political parties intend to drive economic growth, foster national security, expand infrastructure, improve healthcare, modernise education, and foster social inclusion.
‘Today’s accord is a solemn pledge to elevate public discourse to these substantive issues.’ He said.
On the accord signing, Amupitan described the document as a covenant and social contract between the candidates and the Nigerian people.
He harped on the need for the candidates to promote peace and desist from making inciting statements in the course of their campaign.
‘To the Presidential candidates and party chairmen gathered here, the document you are about to sign is not a mere piece of paper.
‘It is a covenant and a social contract with the Nigerian people. It is a contract with statutory and constitutional flavour of which, as heard from Barrister Sabe, I have the mandate of the law to enforce in company of the law enforcement agents.
‘As you sign this, lead by example. Your supporters look up to you for cues. If you speak the language of peace, they will act with peace. If you incite them, they will ignite.’ He said.
The INEC boss urged them to focus on promoting their manifesto, stressing that the campaign grounds should be a marketplace of ideas and not war theatre.
He also called for respect for the commission and the law while warning against preemptive declaration of victory.
‘Focus on what and how. Tell the voters what you will do for the economy, security, and education and how you intend to achieve it. Let the 2027 election campaign be the marketplace of ideas not a theatre of war.
‘Respect the umpire and the law. We welcome constructive criticism. It makes us better.
‘We urge you to refrain from preemptive declaration of victory or spread of information that undermines public confidence in our democratic institutions.’ He said.