2027: PRP chieftain urges issue-based campaigns

Yakubu Kingsley, a chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has called for issue-based campaigns in Nigeria's upcoming 2027 general elections, urging political parties and candidates to steer clear of personal attacks and divisive rhetoric.

Kingsley, who previously sought the PRP's presidential nomination, stated that the commencement of campaigns, following the Independent National Electoral Commission's lifting of the ban, should be viewed as an opportunity to present clear, practical, and credible policies. "The commencement of campaigns should be seen not as an opportunity for personal attacks, character assassination or the running down of fellow candidates and political parties, but as a solemn responsibility to present to Nigerians clear, practical and credible policies and programmes capable of addressing the nation’s challenges," he said.

“

The commencement of campaigns should be seen not as an opportunity for personal attacks, character assassination or the running down of fellow candidates and political parties, but as a solemn responsibility to present to Nigerians clear, practical and credible policies and programmes capable of addressing the nation’s challenges.

He stressed that candidates should focus on their proposed solutions and implementation strategies, advocating for a contest based on "ideas, vision, competence and capacity, not a contest of insults, hatred or division." Kingsley is currently challenging the PRP primary that nominated Donald Duke as the party's presidential candidate.

“

Every candidate should focus on what he or she intends to do differently, how such policies and programmes will be implemented, and the practical solutions they offer to the Nigerian people. Nigeria deserves a contest of ideas, vision, competence and capacity, not a contest of insults, hatred or division.

Beyond campaign conduct, Kingsley also emphasized the critical importance of national unity. He described it as the foundation for lasting peace, security, economic progress, and national development, warning against political slogans that obscure its significance. He urged Nigerians to reject attempts to divide communities along religious and ethnic lines, asserting that citizens across different faiths and ethnic groups share common interests in peace, justice, security, and prosperity.

Furthermore, Kingsley addressed the issue of criminality, stating that it should not be used to stigmatize entire communities. "Crime, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping have no religion. Criminality has no ethnicity," he declared. He advocated for identifying and dealing with criminals individually under the law, without fostering hatred against innocent Nigerians based on the actions of a few. He also highlighted national unity as an economic necessity, underscoring the need for stability to support agricultural and other sectors.

“

Crime, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping have no religion. Criminality has no ethnicity. Whoever commits a crime must be identified and dealt with as an individual or group of criminals under the law, without turning the wrongdoing of a few into a basis for hatred against millions of innocent Nigerians.