2027: Reject Bloodshed, ACF Advises Nigerians

The apex northern socio-cultural organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has called on Nigerians to reject violence ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that no political contest is worth the loss of a human life.

In a statement issued by ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on Thursday, the forum stated that differences of political opinion should never become reasons for hatred, violence or the destruction of communities.

ACF urged eligible Nigerians with Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to exercise their civic responsibility by voting for candidates and political parties of their choice in next year’s general elections.

The statement reads in part: “The period leading to elections, as well as the period immediately following them, can be tense and potentially hazardous. I therefore urge all citizens, particularly our youths, to exercise restraint and avoid locations, gatherings and incidents that are known or reasonably suspected to be trouble-prone.”

“No political contest is worth the loss of a human life. Let us reject violence, inflammatory rhetoric, provocation and the destruction of lives and property. Differences of political opinion should never become reasons for hatred, violence or the destruction of our communities,” ACF said.

The forum said at 66, many Nigerians continue to suffer from natural disasters, insecurity, displacement, economic hardship, poverty and multifaceted forms of deprivation.

ACF added: “These challenges have disrupted economic activities, closed schools, separated families and, in many instances, broken homes and destroyed livelihoods. Sadly, some of these painful and inhuman circumstances are perpetrated or aggravated by persons into whose hands we have entrusted the responsibility of leadership and governance.”