Chief Rufus Ebegba, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), FCT Command, has urged politicians and their supporters to shun violence and prioritise national unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ebegba made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, on Saturday.
He cautioned political parties against placing their interests above those of citizens, and decried that many Nigerians were increasingly afraid to express opinions publicly for fear of attacks.
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According to him, violence has become prevalent at political gatherings, processions, town hall meetings and consultations, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among citizens.
“This is not the country our forefathers left for us, and definitely not the kind of country of our dream,” he said.
He further urged politicians participating in ongoing campaigns to respect electoral guidelines, guide their supporters and caution them against inflammatory statements and actions capable of threatening national peace.
The PCRC chairman stressed that political leaders must accept responsibility for the conduct and utterances of their supporters, adding that nobody should be above the law.
He said the electoral process must remain peaceful and inclusive, with every eligible citizen allowed to participate freely without intimidation, harassment or fear of violence.
Ebegba questioned why politics had become a do-or-die affair, emphasising that political competition should promote democratic participation rather than division, hostility and threats against opposing groups.
He stated that only one candidate can emerge victorious in an election, and urged politicians to demonstrate sportsmanship and recognise that life continued beyond political offices.
He appealed to political stakeholders to place Nigeria’s unity and stability above personal ambitions, emphasising that elections would come and go, but the country must remain united.
Ebegba also urged Nigerians to support a free, fair and peaceful electoral process, stating that the people’s choices must determine leadership without violence or coercion.
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