*Photo:Engr. (Dr.) Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley*
The Presidential Aspirant of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the 2027 general elections, Engr. (Dr.) Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley (YMK)), has cautioned against the use of political campaigns for personal attacks and character assassination.
He stressed that politicians and their supporters should desist from using campaigns to run down fellow candidates and political parties.
Kingsley spoke in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja after INEC lifted ban on campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said campaigns should be a solemn responsibility to present to Nigerians clear, practical and credible policies and programmes capable of addressing the nation’s challenges.
“We reiterate the position expressed in our earlier statement: let the campaigns be issue-based, peaceful and guided by mutual respect.
“Every candidate should focus on what he or she intends to do differently, how such policies and programmes will be implemented, and the practical solutions they offer to the Nigerian people.
“Nigeria deserves a contest of ideas, vision, competence and capacity—not a contest of insults, hatred or division.
“We urge all candidates and political parties to place the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria above personal or partisan interests, allowing Nigerians to make their choices based on the strength of policies, character and proven capacity to serve,” he said.
Kingsley, who is currently challenging the May 25 primary election of the PRP that produced former Gov. Donald Duke of Cross River as party’s presidential candidate in court, said national unity should not be merely a political slogan.
“Engr. (Dr.) Yakubu Mohammed Kingsley Nigeria, promoter of the YMK Nigeria Project and a Presidential Aspirant, believe that national unity is not merely a political slogan,” he said.
According to him, it is the foundation upon which lasting peace, security, economic progress and national development must be built.
“No nation can attain its full potential when its people are constantly divided against one another or when differences of faith, ethnicity and region are exploited for political and personal advantage.
“Nigerians must therefore reject every attempt to divide communities along religious or ethnic lines.
“Muslims, Christians and adherents of traditional religions, as well as people from every ethnic nationality, share a common interest in peace, justice, security, opportunity and prosperity.
“The teachings and values that guide our diverse communities should inspire compassion, tolerance, mutual respect and the protection of human life.
“At this defining moment in Nigeria’s national history, the first and most urgent task before us is to preserve and strengthen the unity of our people.
“Our diversity must never become a weapon for division. It must be recognised and harnessed as one of our greatest national strengths,” he said.
Kingsley said criminality must never be used as an excuse to collectively condemn innocent communities.
“Crime, terrorism, banditry , and kidnapping have no religion.
“Criminality has no ethnicity. Whoever commits a crime must be identified and dealt with as an individual or group of criminals under the law, without turning the wrongdoing of a few into a basis for hatred against millions of innocent Nigerians.
“The ordinary Nigerian, whether from the North, South, East or West, has more in common with every other Nigerian than the forces of division would have us believe.
“We all desire security, opportunity and peace.
“Businesses require a stable environment to thrive.
“Communities need access to quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and a better future for its children.
“National unity is an economic and developmental necessity that should give birth to stability, security for farmers, reliable energy and infrastructure for industries, predictable policies for businesses, and give confidence to young Nigerians in building their future.
“Every region will sustainably prosper and no region will be trapped in insecurity, poverty or exclusion,” he said.
He said the YMK Nigeria Project, therefore, presents practical and innovative approaches to good governance and development.
He said Nigeria cannot continue to address 21st century challenges predominantly with outdated systems.
“The country must deliberately embrace technology-driven governance in which digital technology, data, automation, artificial intelligence and modern management systems become integral instruments of national development.
“Technology must become part of the architecture of government and the wider ececonomy.
“When properly deployed, it can improve public service delivery, strengthen transparency and accountability, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve access to essential services.
“The vision also calls for a decisive transition from a predominantly consumption-driven economy to one driven by production, innovation and value addition.
“It is within this broader people-centred vision that the YMK Nigeria Project identifies a philosophical convergence with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), whose historic orientation emphasises the welfare, dignity, empowerment and interests of ordinary Nigerians.
“The PRP provides the political platform through which these people-oriented aspirations can be pursued, while the YMK Nigeria Project seeks to mobilise Nigerians around a contemporary development vision and practical policies for national transformation.
“As Nigerians await the outcome of the pending case (PRP Presidential Primaries), with judgment scheduled before the Federal High Court on 2nd November, 2026, the nation may be approaching an unexpected and potentially significant development in the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections—the emergence of a ‘Dark Horse’.
“Conventional political calculations may consider such an emergence late, particularly if it occurs only a few weeks before the general elections.
“But political developments are not always determined by established assumptions or human calculations alone.
“Ultimately, God is the One who bestows power and authority upon whomsoever He wills.
“The possible emergence of a ‘Dark Horse’ would therefore represent more than the arrival of another political candidate.
“It would present Nigerians with the opportunity to consider a leadership aspiration founded on service, professional experience, practical development engagement, disciplined planning and a commitment to integrity.”
Kingsley called on Nigerians across all regions, faiths, ethnic nationalities, professions, generations and social backgrounds to participate in the national conversation about the country’s future.
“The task before Nigeria is greater than an election.
“It is about rebuilding national confidence, restoring trust in public institutions, creating opportunities, strengthening security, modernising the economy and transforming the country’s enormous potential into shared prosperity,” he concluded.