Ariwoola Council: 2027 Candidates Must Shun Hate Speech

• The Savannah Centre Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, urged 2027 presidential candidates to avoid hate speech and violence.
• The call was made during an advocacy engagement with Peoples Redemption Party candidate Donald Duke in Abuja.
• Justice Ariwoola highlighted Nigeria's history of election violence, including over 1000 deaths in the 2011 general election, linked to the non-implementation of electoral reforms.
• The Council, established in 2014 with MacArthur Foundation support, aims to promote peaceful and credible elections.
• They emphasized the need for compliance with Nigerian electoral laws and issue-based campaigns to ensure peaceful, transparent 2027 elections.

Lawyers advising political parties or candidates for the 2027 Nigerian elections should be acutely aware of this heightened focus on preventing inflammatory remarks and meticulously review campaign communications for compliance with electoral laws, guiding clients to avoid incitement given the historical context of election-related violence and potential regulatory scrutiny.

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, a prominent civil society group, the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development Council of the Wise, has issued a strong appeal to all presidential candidates. Chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, the Council urged candidates to refrain from hate speech, inflammatory remarks, and any actions that could incite violence during their campaigns. This crucial message was delivered on Tuesday in Abuja during an advocacy meeting.

The Council's engagement specifically targeted Donald Duke, who was affirmed as the Peoples Redemption Party's presidential candidate but is currently facing a legal challenge to his candidacy, and former Governor of Cross River State. During the interaction, the Council implored Mr. Duke to ensure his campaign remains free from rancour and statements that could provoke unrest. Beyond individual candidates, the body also called on all presidential aspirants and their supporters to strictly adhere to existing Nigerian electoral laws and guidelines, emphasizing the importance of focusing on substantive issues facing the nation rather than divisive rhetoric. The Council extended congratulations to Mr. Duke on his emergence as the party's flagbearer for the upcoming presidential contest.

The Council's intervention comes amidst heightened political tension as campaigns for the 2027 presidential election commence, sparking concerns among many Nigerians about the potential for election-related violence. Justice Ariwoola underscored a troubling pattern in Nigeria's electoral history, noting that elections since 1999 have frequently been marred by violence, hate speech, rigging, and vote-buying, transforming political contests into perceived life-or-death struggles for some politicians.

Recalling the 2007 general election, which brought Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to power, Justice Ariwoola highlighted that the poll was widely acknowledged as flawed, a fact the late President himself publicly conceded. This led to the establishment of an Electoral Reform Committee, headed by former Chief Justice Muhammed Lawal Uwais. Tragically, Yar'Adua passed away in 2010 before the committee's recommendations could be implemented, despite 90% of them being accepted by the government. The failure to act on these reforms contributed to the devastating violence of the 2011 general election, which resulted in over 1000 fatalities, particularly in the Northern States. These unresolved issues continued to threaten subsequent elections, with the situation becoming particularly alarming as the 2015 general elections approached, necessitating further interventions. Donald Duke, having served two terms as Governor of Cross River State during this tumultuous period, was cited as a direct witness to these bitter experiences.

The Savannah Centre established the Council of the Wise in 2014, with vital support from the MacArthur Foundation, specifically to foster peaceful, transparent, and credible elections and to reinforce democratic institutions in Nigeria. Reconstituted in June 2026 as an 11-member body, the Council is committed to continuing its crucial intervention and mediation efforts before, during, and after the 2027 general elections.

The Council's message to presidential candidates, including Donald Duke, stressed the imperative for exemplary conduct and inspiring attitudes from those aspiring to lead the country. They emphasized the need for candidates to adhere to their party's Code of Conduct and Constitution to earn the trust of the electorate. This proactive stance by the Olukayode Ariwoola-led council urges 2027 candidates to shun hate speech, underscoring the collective aspiration for Nigeria to experience peaceful and transparent 2027 elections. Lawyers advising political parties or candidates for the 2027 Nigerian elections should be acutely aware of this heightened focus on preventing inflammatory remarks and meticulously review campaign communications for compliance with electoral laws, guiding clients to avoid incitement given the historical context of election-related violence and potential regulatory scrutiny.

Lawyers advising political parties or candidates for the 2027 Nigerian elections should be aware of the heightened focus on preventing hate speech and inflammatory remarks. This signals a need to meticulously review campaign communications for compliance with electoral laws and to advise clients on strategies to avoid incitement, given the historical context of election-related violence and potential regulatory scrutiny.

Source: Original reporting via The Punch