Ahead of the 2027 general election, a Gombe political figure, Gwamna, has called on political parties and aspirants to conduct clean, peaceful and issue-based campaigns across the state. He urged politicians to focus their messages on policies, development plans and solutions to the challenges facing residents rather than engaging in personal attacks, inflammatory statements or activities capable of creating tension. Gwamna’s appeal comes as political activities gradually increase across Nigeria, with parties and potential candidates beginning to position themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle. In Gombe, the call for issue-based campaigning is particularly relevant as political stakeholders prepare to compete for various elective positions. Campaigns provide candidates with an opportunity to explain their programmes to voters and demonstrate how they intend to address issues affecting their communities. These issues may include employment, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, security and economic opportunities. Gwamna stressed the importance of maintaining peace throughout the political process and encouraged supporters to respect opposing candidates and their followers. Political competition, he suggested, should not become a source of division among residents or damage relationships within communities. The 2027 election is expected to attract strong competition as political parties seek to expand their influence across the country. Campaign rhetoric can have a significant effect on public perception and may influence the atmosphere in which elections are conducted. Responsible communication by political leaders could therefore help reduce tension and encourage voters to assess candidates based on their records and proposed policies. Stakeholders also have a responsibility to discourage misinformation and avoid statements that could provoke violence. Security agencies, election officials, civil society groups and community leaders can contribute to maintaining a peaceful environment by promoting lawful political participation. For voters in Gombe, an issue-based campaign would provide an opportunity to compare candidates on their plans and ability to deliver effective governance. As political activities intensify, Gwamna’s call places emphasis on the need for politicians to compete with respect and focus on matters that directly affect the people. A peaceful campaign environment could also strengthen confidence in the democratic process and encourage greater voter participation. The success of the 2027 electoral process will depend partly on the conduct of political actors before, during and after voting.
