By Iroyin Yoruba Television
Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has appealed to political leaders, party members and young Nigerians to approach the 2027 electoral process with maturity, tolerance and restraint, urging political actors to reject violence and focus on issues that affect citizens.
Aiyedatiwa made the appeal in Akure on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the state's celebration of Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary.
The governor said political differences were a normal part of democratic competition but should not be allowed to destroy relationships among families, neighbours and citizens.
He specifically called on political leaders, members of political parties and young people to avoid violence, engage one another through policy and issues, and respect the right of every citizen to participate peacefully in political activities.
The appeal comes as political activity increases ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections, with political parties and candidates beginning to intensify mobilisation, consultations and public engagement across the country.
Aiyedatiwa's intervention placed peaceful participation at the centre of his Independence Day message, while also linking the country's democratic future to the responsibilities of individual citizens.
The governor said Nigeria's independence should not be viewed merely as an anniversary marked every October 1.
Instead, he described independence as an ongoing responsibility shared by successive generations.
According to him, the generation that secured Nigeria's independence in 1960 believed that people from different ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious backgrounds could live together and pursue a common national destiny.
He said that generation did not leave behind a finished country but handed future generations the responsibility of building, preserving and improving the nation.
That responsibility, he argued, extends beyond government.
Aiyedatiwa said government alone could not build the Nigeria citizens want.
He called for collective participation from citizens, communities, political leaders and other groups involved in national development.
His message connected that broader responsibility to the approaching election.
Political participation, he said, should contribute to national development rather than weaken the relationships that hold communities together.
The governor's call for issue-based engagement means that political disagreements should be expressed through competing ideas, programmes and policy proposals rather than violence.
This approach places attention on what candidates and parties propose to do if given public office.
It also gives citizens an opportunity to examine competing positions on matters affecting their daily lives.
Issues such as employment, education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, energy and the cost of living are expected to feature prominently in the political conversation ahead of 2027.
Aiyedatiwa did not call on citizens to support a particular candidate in his appeal.
Instead, he focused on the manner in which political competition should be conducted.
He asked political actors to respect the right of citizens to participate peacefully.
That includes supporters of different parties and political movements.
Nigeria's electoral system involves competition among numerous political parties, candidates and interest groups.
Political differences are therefore unavoidable during an election cycle.
The challenge is ensuring that those differences do not develop into violence or intimidation.
A peaceful political environment is important because voters need to be able to attend meetings, listen to candidates, discuss policies and make electoral choices without fear.
Political parties also need to be able to organise within the framework of electoral law.
The governor's comments therefore address both political leaders and ordinary party supporters.
His specific reference to young people is significant because youths constitute a major part of Nigeria's political population and are frequently involved in campaign activities, political mobilisation and social-media discussions.
Young Nigerians can influence political debates through online platforms, community organisations and direct participation in party activities.
They can also be exposed to political manipulation when disagreements become aggressive.
Aiyedatiwa's call for restraint therefore places responsibility on younger participants to reject violence and focus on political issues.
The same responsibility applies to party leaders.
Political leaders influence the behaviour of their supporters through public statements and campaign strategies.
When leaders encourage peaceful competition, supporters receive a clear signal about the expected conduct of political activities.
When political rhetoric becomes inflammatory, it can contribute to tensions among supporters.
The governor's appeal is consequently relevant not only to individual voters but also to the leadership structures of political parties.
The 2027 elections are expected to involve competition at presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly levels.
Different elections will generate different political contests across the country.
In Ondo State, political actors are already preparing for the wider electoral cycle.
Aiyedatiwa is himself a prominent political figure in the state and a member of the All Progressives Congress.
His comments therefore come from a political environment in which parties are preparing their structures and supporters for the forthcoming elections.
However, his Independence Day message focused on the broader electoral environment rather than announcing a new campaign policy.
He urged Nigerians to renew their faith in the country and contribute to national development.
The governor said the values of peace, unity, patriotism and responsible citizenship should continue to guide the country.
He also urged citizens to consider what they were doing with the inheritance received from previous generations.
That message was framed around the long-term development of Nigeria rather than a single election.
The governor argued that every generation has a responsibility to preserve and improve the country.
That responsibility includes participating constructively in democratic institutions.
Elections provide one of the main ways citizens participate directly in choosing political representatives.
But democratic participation extends beyond voting.
Citizens can attend public meetings, engage elected representatives, monitor government programmes, join political parties, participate in civil society organisations and contribute to public debate.
Aiyedatiwa's emphasis on peaceful participation therefore applies to a wider democratic culture.
His message also comes against the background of Nigeria's long history of electoral competition.
The country has experienced periods of political tension, including disputes surrounding elections and disagreements among political parties.
Maintaining peaceful political engagement requires cooperation from multiple institutions.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has responsibility for administering elections.
Security agencies have responsibilities for protecting voters and maintaining public order.
Political parties are responsible for organising candidates and supporters.
Civil society organisations can monitor elections and promote voter education.
Citizens also have a responsibility to obey electoral laws and avoid violence.
No single institution can guarantee a peaceful election by itself.
The governor's appeal therefore addresses a shared responsibility.
He also urged citizens to protect the bonds that unite Nigerians.
His reference to families and neighbours highlights the fact that political disagreements frequently occur among people who live and work together.
A political disagreement does not necessarily need to end a personal relationship.
Citizens may support different parties while remaining members of the same community.
That distinction can become particularly important during election campaigns.
Political competition is temporary, while communities and social relationships continue after elections.
A peaceful political culture allows citizens to disagree without treating political opponents as permanent enemies.
Issue-based campaigning can also make it easier for voters to compare political proposals.
Instead of focusing exclusively on personalities, parties can explain how they intend to address problems.
Candidates can present their records, programmes and priorities.
Citizens can then ask questions about funding, implementation and expected outcomes.
This type of engagement can improve the quality of political debate.
Aiyedatiwa's call therefore has both a security dimension and a democratic dimension.
From a security perspective, avoiding violence reduces the risk of injuries, property damage and disruption of political activities.
From a democratic perspective, peaceful competition allows more citizens to participate.
Violence can discourage people from attending rallies or voting.
Fear can also prevent political parties from operating freely in affected communities.
Political intimidation can undermine confidence in the electoral process.
The governor's call for respect for citizens' rights is therefore closely connected to the credibility of elections.
Citizens should be able to support a political party without fear of physical retaliation.
Candidates should be able to campaign within the law.
Political parties should be able to organise lawful activities.
Journalists should be able to report political events.
Election observers and civil society organisations should be able to monitor the process within applicable regulations.
Security agencies should protect the public and enforce the law impartially.
These principles contribute to a functioning electoral environment.
Aiyedatiwa also used the occasion to acknowledge the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as continued support and partnership with Ondo State.
He referred to federal initiatives relating to infrastructure, economic development and investment.
Among the projects he highlighted were the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the proposed Deep-Sea Port.
The governor said such initiatives could have economic implications for Ondo State.
The coastal road project has been presented by the Federal Government as a major infrastructure initiative linking communities along Nigeria's coastline.
The proposed deep-sea port is also associated with efforts to expand economic and maritime opportunities in the region.
Aiyedatiwa said the state looked forward to deeper cooperation with the Federal Government in the interest of its residents.
His comments on federal projects formed part of a wider Independence Day message about national development.
He linked infrastructure and economic development with the broader responsibility of building the country.
The governor's remarks also demonstrate how national and state politics intersect.
State governments depend on cooperation with the Federal Government for many major infrastructure and development projects.
At the same time, governors operate within their own political parties and local political structures.
The approaching election cycle is likely to increase political activity at both levels.
Ondo State has its own political dynamics involving the governor, party structures, elected officials and other political actors.
Recent discussions within the Ondo APC have included the relationship between political structures associated with Aiyedatiwa and those associated with Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Party elders have recently called for the two political tendencies to coexist and avoid actions that could deepen divisions within the party.
That development provides additional context for Aiyedatiwa's emphasis on restraint and issue-based political engagement.
However, his October 1 speech was broader than the internal affairs of the APC.
He addressed political leaders, party members and young people generally.
His appeal covered the electoral environment rather than one particular political group.
This distinction is important because peaceful elections require cooperation across party lines.
No political party can independently determine the overall conduct of an election.
Opposition parties and ruling parties alike have responsibilities to their supporters.
The same applies to candidates competing against one another.
Political disagreement is a normal feature of democracy.
The absence of disagreement would not necessarily indicate a healthy political system.
Different groups have different views about how government should operate.
The important issue is how those differences are expressed.
Aiyedatiwa's message was that political competition should remain peaceful and focused on issues.
The governor's appeal also comes as Nigerians prepare to assess competing claims about the country's economic and social direction.
The cost of living is expected to remain a significant political issue.
Security is another major concern.
Employment, education, healthcare, infrastructure and electricity are also likely to feature heavily in political discussions.
Candidates will need to explain how their proposed policies would address these issues.
Voters, in turn, can examine those proposals and assess the records and commitments of candidates.
Issue-based politics provides a framework for that process.
Instead of concentrating only on political personalities, citizens can ask what each candidate proposes to do and how those plans would be implemented.
The governor's call for peaceful engagement therefore comes at a time when political parties are beginning to increase their public activities.
Campaigning can involve rallies, consultations, media appearances, social-media activity, community meetings and other forms of mobilisation.
Each activity creates opportunities for political communication.
It can also create opportunities for conflict if supporters become confrontational.
Party leaders can reduce those risks by setting clear standards for peaceful conduct.
Young people can contribute by refusing to participate in attacks or the spread of inflammatory material.
Citizens can also help by verifying political information before sharing it.
False information can create tensions and contribute to misunderstandings between supporters.
Responsible political communication is therefore important both online and offline.
Aiyedatiwa's appeal for tolerance extends naturally to political discussions on social media.
Nigeria has a large and active online population.
Political arguments can spread rapidly through social-media platforms.
A statement made during a rally or television interview can reach millions of people within a short period.
That reach can be useful for political education but can also magnify inflammatory messages.
Political actors therefore have an important role in encouraging responsible communication.
Citizens also need to distinguish between political opinion, verified information and unsubstantiated claims.
The governor's Independence Day address placed responsibility on citizens to contribute to nation-building.
That responsibility includes participation in political processes.
Citizens who disagree with government policies can express their disagreement peacefully.
Supporters of government policies can defend them through public debate.
Opposition parties can present alternative programmes.
Ruling parties can explain their records.
The electoral process then provides a mechanism for citizens to choose among the available candidates.
Aiyedatiwa's message was that this competition should take place without violence.
The appeal also reflects the broader importance of maintaining peace during election periods.
Election-related violence can have consequences beyond the immediate political contest.
It can damage property, disrupt businesses and displace residents.
It can also create long-term divisions between communities.
In extreme cases, violence can discourage citizens from participating in elections.
A peaceful environment therefore benefits both political parties and voters.
The governor's call for maturity is directed at preventing disagreements from becoming permanent community conflicts.
He said political differences should not destroy relationships among families, neighbours and fellow citizens.
That message is particularly relevant in communities where people belong to different political parties.
Citizens can have different political choices without abandoning their shared responsibilities as members of the same society.
The 2027 elections will provide another test of Nigeria's democratic institutions.
The conduct of political parties, candidates, security agencies, election officials and voters will all contribute to the overall environment.
Aiyedatiwa's October 1 appeal is one contribution to that broader conversation.
It does not determine how other political actors will behave.
The effectiveness of such appeals ultimately depends on whether political participants translate them into conduct.
Party leaders can demonstrate their commitment by instructing supporters to avoid violence.
Candidates can focus their campaigns on policies and records.
Security agencies can enforce applicable laws.
Citizens can reject violent mobilisation.
Election officials can provide information about the electoral process.
Together, these actions can support peaceful participation.
The governor also called for patriotism and responsible citizenship.
Patriotism, in this context, was presented as a commitment to the country's future rather than simply support for a particular political party.
The governor's message was that citizens should contribute to national development regardless of political affiliation.
That approach places national interests alongside political competition.
Political parties will continue to compete for votes, but the institutions and communities within which that competition occurs must remain intact.
Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary therefore provided the setting for a message that connected the country's historical journey with its upcoming electoral cycle.
Aiyedatiwa argued that the responsibilities of independence continue from one generation to another.
He called on Nigerians to renew their faith in the country and contribute to building the nation they want.
He specifically urged political actors and young people to avoid violence.
He asked them to engage on issues and respect the rights of other citizens to participate peacefully.
The message comes at a time when political activity is increasing ahead of 2027.
It also comes as political parties continue to organise structures and prepare candidates.
The next phase of the electoral cycle will likely bring more rallies, consultations, debates and campaign messages.
The quality of that political engagement will depend partly on how parties and supporters respond to disagreements.
The governor's appeal provides a clear statement of the conduct he wants political participants in Ondo State to adopt.
He wants political differences handled through debate rather than violence.
He wants citizens to retain their relationships despite political disagreements.
He wants young people to participate peacefully.
He wants political leaders and party members to respect the rights of other citizens.
Those principles apply across the political spectrum.
As the 2027 election approaches, voters will hear competing claims from candidates and political parties.
They will also encounter competing interpretations of the country's economic and social conditions.
A peaceful political environment allows citizens to examine those arguments without intimidation.
It also allows political parties to challenge one another through lawful means.
The electoral process can then serve its central purpose of allowing citizens to choose their representatives.
For Ondo State, the governor's message places particular emphasis on maintaining peace as political activity grows.
For Nigeria more broadly, it reflects the continuing debate about how to strengthen democratic participation and reduce election-related violence.
The 2027 election remains ahead, and the conduct of political actors during the months leading to it will be closely watched.
For now, Aiyedatiwa has used Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary to call for maturity, tolerance, restraint and peaceful political participation.
His appeal is directed at political leaders, party members and young people.
He has asked them to compete on issues, respect citizens' rights and reject violence.
He has also linked the country's political future to the broader responsibility of citizens to build and preserve Nigeria.
The message places peaceful political engagement at the centre of his appeal as the country moves toward another general election.
The governor's comments do not resolve the political disagreements that will shape the 2027 contest.
Instead, they set out a position on how those disagreements should be managed: through peaceful participation, issue-based debate and respect for the rights of other citizens.
As political parties continue their preparations, the effectiveness of that approach will depend on the conduct of candidates, supporters, institutions and voters across the country.