2027: Group urges balance, restraint in national discourse ahead of elections

A political advocacy voice, Hon. Comrade Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, has called for restraint, maturity and balance in public conversations as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, urging influential voices across religious, community and opinion spaces to promote responsible engagement.

In a statement on Tuesday, Alawuje stressed that Nigeria’s progress depends on the collective ability of citizens to acknowledge the achievements of leaders while constructively addressing areas of concern, noting that public office does not confer perfection but deserves fairness in assessment.

He expressed concern that national discourse is increasingly dominated by outrage, where government efforts are dismissed and attention is focused solely on perceived failures, a trend he warned could undermine unity and objective evaluation of governance.

Alawuje said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has embarked on bold and far-reaching reforms aimed at addressing long-standing structural challenges, adding that while such reforms may be difficult and unpopular, they deserve honest and balanced evaluation.

While affirming that constructive criticism remains central to democracy, he cautioned against what he described as “persistent ranting for relevance,” particularly when expressed under religious platforms, saying religious leadership carries moral responsibility across faiths to promote wisdom, restraint and respectful engagement.

He referenced recent comments by Pastor Tunde Bakare directed at the President, which he said were widely perceived as unfair and excessively partisan, adding that public figures who step into political discussions should be prepared for political reactions.

According to him, spiritual leaders must decide whether to remain within pastoral guidance or embrace political opposition and accept the consequences, while also acknowledging that many Nigerians hold valid concerns about aspects of governance.

Alawuje urged citizens and leaders to elevate national discourse through facts, responsibility and constructive engagement, saying Nigeria deserves conversations that promote unity, stability and forward-looking solutions rather than “insults, noise and unnecessary provocation.”