Nigeria is preparing for its 2027 general election, and political leaders, parties and voters are being urged to place justice, fairness and peace at the centre of the contest. The call echoes the words of the late elder statesman Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, who in May 2015 addressed then‑president‑elect Muhammadu Buhari with a simple but powerful reminder: “With justice, you can rule Nigeria well. Justice is the key.”
Sule’s counsel, delivered on behalf of the Northern Leaders Forum, highlighted a long‑standing view that elections in a plural society such as Nigeria are more than power struggles; they are referendums on whether the state belongs to all citizens. He warned that “the world itself can never be governed by force, never by fear, even never by power. In the end, what governs is the mind. What conquers is the spirit and the weapons of governing the mind and conquering the spirit are justice and fair play.”
According to Sule, justice extends beyond court rulings to include fair representation, equitable distribution of public resources, respect for the rule of law, protection of minorities, credible elections and equal treatment before public institutions. In his words, “If you do justice to all and sundry … because Allah says, ‘If you are going to judge between two people, do justice irrespective of the tribe, religion or even political inclination; justice must be done to whosoever deserves it.’”
For parties gearing up for 2027, fairness must be evident from the outset. This means transparent candidate selection, adherence to zoning arrangements, internal party democracy, accountable campaign financing and the inclusion of women and young aspirants. Manipulating primaries, imposing candidates or allowing money to dominate nominations, Sule warned, “weakens the legitimacy of the eventual winner” and produces a fragile mandate.
Issue‑based campaigning is also essential. Nigeria faces insecurity, unemployment, inflation, poor infrastructure, weak public services, climate pressure on agriculture and widespread poverty—challenges that cut across ethnicity and religion. A list of these pressing concerns includes:
- Insecurity and violent conflict
- High unemployment and underemployment
- Rising inflation and cost‑of‑living pressures
- Inadequate infrastructure and public services
- Climate‑related stresses on agriculture
- Persistent poverty and inequality
Addressing these problems through concrete policies, rather than fear‑mongering or sectarian rhetoric, aligns with Sule’s warning that “force, fear and power cannot govern the mind or conquer the spirit. Only justice and fair play can.” He linked justice directly to peace and development, stating, “Justice will bring about peace. Peace and stability are the pre‑requisites of development.” The 2027 election therefore offers Nigeria a chance to rebuild confidence in its institutions, provided electoral bodies remain independent, security agencies act professionally, political actors accept results peacefully and citizens refuse to be used as instruments of violence.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
