According to a report by Nigerian Tribune Thursday, May 28, 2026, leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has warned against orchestrated violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that no Nigerian should lose his or her life because of political ambition or electoral competition in the country.
Bamidele made the appeal on Wednesday while also calling for prayers for children, parents, and teachers who are currently being held captive by bandits and kidnappers across different parts of the country.
He specifically referenced the recent abduction of 87 victims in Oyo and Borno States, describing the incidents as deeply troubling and painful for the nation.
The Senate leader expressed his concerns in an Eid-el-Kabir message issued to Nigerians through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.
In the message, he urged citizens to embrace the virtues demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim, particularly the values of faith, obedience, sacrifice, and peaceful coexistence among people regardless of political, ethnic, or religious differences.
Quoting figures from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, Bamidele recalled that electoral violence claimed the lives of 1,639 Nigerians during elections conducted between 1999 and 2023.
He therefore called for an immediate end to actions and tendencies capable of triggering violence as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, political contests should never become grounds for bloodshed or threats to national peace and unity.
Bamidele further stated that the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir should go beyond an annual religious observance and serve as an opportunity for Nigerians to renew their commitment to peaceful coexistence and national development.
He also noted that the solemn period coincided with the 2026 International Children’s Day and condemned the activities of individuals he accused of creating uncertainty within the country by spreading narratives suggesting cracks in the nation’s leadership structure.
He said, “We are finally committed to evolving a system that will mete out maximum consequences against all perpetrators of kidnapping and their allies. For us, kidnapping in all its ramifications is a crime against humanity, and it must be treated as such.”….Read_More…