2026 Int’l Democracy Day: NHRC Scribe Ojukwu Tasks Politicians on Issue-Based Campaigns Ahead of 2027 Polls

2026 Int’l Democracy Day: NHRC Scribe Ojukwu Tasks Politicians on Issue-Based Campaigns Ahead of 2027 Polls

By Our Reporter

Abuja (Core Reporters)– As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Democracy, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Dr. Tony Ojukwu, (SAN) has urged politicians, political parties and their supporters to make their campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections issue-based and devoid of hate speech, ethnic profiling and inciting statements.

Ojukwu said Democracy Day should serve as a reminder that democracy goes beyond elections, stressing that it is fundamentally about the dignity, voice and rights of every citizen.

According to him, democracy represents the freedom to speak, choose, participate in governance and hold those in power accountable without fear.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the NHRC boss called on political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public utterances, warning against rhetoric capable of undermining peace and national unity.

He stressed that democracy thrives on constructive debate and not on hate speech, inflammatory statements, ethnic profiling or threats.

The senior advocate said political campaigns should focus on issues affecting Nigerians and competing policy ideas, rather than language capable of provoking violence or deepening divisions.

He said words could either promote peace or contribute to instability, urging politicians to use the electoral period to engage citizens on their programmes, policies and plans for addressing the country’s challenges.

Ojukwu, who is also the Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria, said the NHRC would continue to monitor hate speech and electoral violence as part of its mandate to protect human rights and promote democratic values.

He also urged eligible Nigerians to actively participate in the electoral process, cautioning against voter apathy, vote-buying and the belief that votes do not count.

According to him, democracy is weakened when citizens withdraw from the political process or remain silent, stressing that the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) remains an important instrument through which citizens exercise their right to choose their leaders.

He therefore encouraged Nigerians to come out and vote, describing participation in elections as both a constitutional right and a civic responsibility.

The NHRC Executive Secretary, who also serves as President of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa (NNHRI-WA), called on the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a level playing field for all political actors.

He further urged the authorities to guarantee the safety of voters, journalists, election observers, human rights defenders and citizens before, during and after the 2027 elections.

Ojukwu said anyone, regardless of status or political affiliation, who sponsors violence, vote-buying, voter suppression or attacks on democratic institutions should be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He maintained that impunity remains a major threat to democratic governance, stressing the need for accountability throughout the electoral process.

In a statement signed by the commission’s Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, the NHRC boss called for renewed commitment to a democracy that delivers not only elections, but also justice, equality, accountability and respect for human rights for all Nigerians.