The African Democratic Congress has warned its governorship candidates against political violence, hate speech, intimidation and provocative conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them to pursue their campaigns through issues, dialogue and lawful democratic processes.
The warning was issued after a meeting between the ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and the party’s governorship candidates at the national secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
The meeting focused on the outcome of the party’s governorship primaries, reconciliation among members and the ADC’s broader strategy for the 2027 elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed that the leadership was concerned about disagreements that emerged during the primary elections in some states. He said the party would establish a National Reconciliation Committee to address grievances and bring together aggrieved aspirants and their supporters before the general election.
According to Abdullahi, the committee would work across the country to resolve disputes arising from the primaries and strengthen unity within the party.
He said Senator Mark had made it clear to the candidates that political competition should not become an excuse for violence, hate speech or other forms of provocation.
The party’s position is particularly significant as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, which are expected to feature fierce contests at both the presidential and governorship levels.
Abdullahi said the ADC expected its candidates to campaign primarily on issues rather than resort to ethnic or religious mobilisation, intimidation or personal attacks.
He stressed that violence and hate speech were inconsistent with the principles of the party and warned that candidates and members who violated the organisation’s rules could face disciplinary measures.
The ADC also said it would respond to attacks on its supporters, destruction of campaign billboards and alleged attempts to restrict its political activities through legal and constitutional channels rather than retaliatory violence.
“We will always do it in the ADC way, and the ADC way is the legal way,” Abdullahi said, according to the report.
He said the party would resist provocation and challenge alleged violations through the courts and other lawful institutions.
The warning comes against the backdrop of broader concerns about electoral violence in Nigeria. A recent report highlighted the continuing toll of political violence, with 870 people reportedly killed in election-related violence over an 11-year period despite repeated peace agreements by political actors.
The National Human Rights Commission has also warned that hate speech, intimidation and divisive political rhetoric could threaten peaceful participation in the 2027 elections and potentially trigger electoral violence.
For the ADC, the emphasis on internal reconciliation is equally important. The party is attempting to transform itself into a major opposition platform ahead of the next general election, making internal cohesion essential to its electoral ambitions.
The party said its governorship candidates would also be required to communicate the ADC’s national policy agenda during their campaigns.
One of the major policies the party wants candidates to promote is its proposed intervention on fuel pricing and the cost of living. According to Abdullahi, the party is considering the reintroduction of a form of targeted fuel subsidy aimed at reducing the financial burden on Nigerians.
The policy is expected to become a major campaign issue as opposition parties continue to criticise the economic consequences of the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Bola Tinubu administration.
The ADC believes its position on fuel pricing could distinguish the party from its political rivals and give its candidates a clear policy message to take to voters.
The party also addressed concerns about possible changes to its list of governorship candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Abdullahi said none of the candidates present at the meeting had reported that a validly nominated candidate had been substituted.
He added that the party had documentation relating to its submissions to INEC and would take administrative action if any unauthorised substitution was discovered.
The ADC’s latest directive therefore combines two priorities: strengthening internal unity and ensuring that its candidates conduct their campaigns within democratic and legal boundaries.
As the 2027 election approaches, the party faces the challenge of converting its growing opposition profile into a disciplined nationwide political organisation.
For its governorship candidates, the message from the national leadership is clear: political competition should be vigorous, but it must not cross the line into violence, hate speech or intimidation.
The ADC’s ability to enforce that position, particularly in closely contested states, could become an important test of its commitment to peaceful democratic politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
