2027: IPCR cautions politicians against taking advantage of hardship

The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, has warned political leaders not to take advantage of economic hardship, false information, and public frustration to spark violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also called for what he described as the de-weaponisation of hunger. He warned that the rising cost of living and inflation could be used by political interests to stir public anger and create more divisions.

Ochogwu shared this warning on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Leonardo Simão. Simão visited Nigeria to assess the situation before the 2027 elections.

The meeting focused on Nigeria’s readiness for the elections and ways to prevent violence before, during, and after the elections. Both officials looked into possible threats to electoral peace, such as political violence, election-related tensions, false information, and the growing role of technology in shaping political messages.

In his comments, Ochogwu showed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to prevent and deal with election-related violence. He said the country’s law enforcement agencies, military, and intelligence services are capable of responding to threats.

But he stressed the need to improve early-warning systems and response methods to make sure that small incidents do not turn into widespread violence.

Regarding the country’s economic situation, Ochogwu noted that "opposition parties could exploit the hardship confronting Nigerians, including inflation and the rising cost of living, to mobilise public anger against the government."

He also urged the government to recognize how economic struggles affect citizens and to keep up measures to lessen their impact. Ochogwu warned that "turning economic hardship into a political weapon could aggravate social tensions and transform legitimate grievances into instruments of conflict."

He pointed out that misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, especially on social media, are serious threats to the credibility and peaceful conduct of the 2027 elections. He said that technological advances have made it easier for false information and misleading narratives to manipulate public opinion.

He also mentioned the potential for foreign influence to increase political tensions through these misleading messages. Ochogwu called for "vigilance among political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, and technology platforms to prevent digital spaces from being used to destabilise the electoral process."

The IPCR chief warned against political speech that could weaken democratic institutions. He urged political leaders to avoid framing elections as battles where opposing sides must destroy each other. He pushed for politics that promotes understanding and cooperation among competing interests.

Ochogwu stressed that both the ruling party and the opposition share the responsibility of maintaining a peaceful political environment. He called on political parties to make sure their supporters do not make inflammatory statements, engage in violence, or take any actions that could threaten the electoral process.

He added that the responsibilities of political actors go beyond election day. Stability after the elections is crucial for good governance and the proper functioning of democratic institutions. He said political competition should shift to governance, reconciliation, and national development after elections.

Simão’s meeting with the IPCR leadership is part of broader discussions with Nigerian stakeholders on the country’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.