2027: PACAN counsels candidates focus on policy-driven campaigns

…eschew insults, personal attacks

The Public Affairs Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PACAN), an umbrella body of journalists reporting political activities, has urged political parties and candidates to make issue-based campaigns the centre of their activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Association made the call in a statement jointly issued and signed on Friday by its President, Mr. Idris Tele-Olukoya and the General Secretary, Mr Adekunle Okunade, in Lagos.

It urged candidates to present their manifestos, policies and programmes rather than resorting to insults, name-calling and personal attacks.

PACAN added that political campaigns should provide Nigerians with clear information on how candidates intended to address challenges confronting the country.

Including insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic development.

According to the group, the increasing use of inflammatory language, character assassination and unsubstantiated allegations could distract the electorate from substantive issues and undermine the quality of democratic discourse.

PACAN also appealed to political parties and their supporters to desist from recruiting or using youths as political thugs, stressing that young Nigerians should be engaged as legitimate participants in democratic processes rather than being exposed to violence.

“Political parties should see Nigerian youths as partners in nation-building and not instruments for violence, intimidation or disruption of political activities”, said PACAN.

PACAN further urged candidates and their supporters to avoid hate speech, ethnic or religious provocation, misinformation and other forms of communication capable of creating tension among citizens.

The Association said political disagreements were normal in a democracy but should be expressed through constructive debates, policy comparisons and respectful engagement rather than attacks on the personality, family, ethnicity or religion of opponents.

“Candidates should tell Nigerians what they intend to do differently, how they will achieve it and how their proposed policies will improve the lives of citizens”, said PACAN.

The Association said the media also have important responsibility to promote responsible political communication by giving adequate attention to manifestos, policy proposals and candidates’ records while subjecting questionable claims to verification.

PACAN urged political correspondents and other journalists covering the 2027 elections to remain professional, factual and balanced in their reportage, adding that responsible journalism was essential to informed participation in the electoral process.

“Political journalism should help citizens understand the issues and choices before them, rather than becoming a platform for promoting inflammatory rhetoric or partisan attacks”, said PACAN.

It called on political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to uphold the spirit of peaceful electioneering and respect relevant electoral laws and guidelines throughout the campaign period.

The Association said the 2027 elections should provide an opportunity for political actors to demonstrate that disagreements could be managed peacefully and that democratic competition could be based on ideas, policies and programmes.

“We urge all political actors to campaign vigorously but responsibly. Let the contest be about ideas, solutions and service to the people, not violence, insults, hate speech or character assassination”, said PACAN.