A prominent Northern youth advocacy group has issued a warning to political figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and activist Omoyele Sowore, urging them to avoid rhetoric that the group says could stoke ethnic tensions ahead of the 2027 polls.
The youth leaders said in a public statement that while freedom of expression is vital in a democracy, political messaging must be responsible and avoid language that could be interpreted as divisive or provocative. They emphasised that the youth demographic — which cuts across regions and tribes — desires peaceful, issue-based politics focusing on jobs, education and security.
The group invited political actors to prioritize dialogue, national unity and policies that tackle unemployment and insecurity, rather than appeals to ethnicity or region. They warned that any incendiary campaign could provoke counter-mobilisation and jeopardize peaceful elections.
Civil society organisations welcomed the intervention and urged all politicians to adopt a unifying tone in the run-up to the next general elections.
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