*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 expressed concern over the various challenges facing the country as 2027 general elections draw nearer.
Kingsley, in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said these realities demand not only sound leadership and responsible governance but also divine intervention.
“Today, our nation faces enormous challenges. Millions of Nigerians
continue to grapple with economic hardship, rising inflation, high cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, kidnapping, terrorism, communal conflicts, declining purchasing power, and growing uncertainty about the future.
“Families struggle daily to put food on their tables, businesses battle for survival, while many young people are searching for hope,” he said.
According to him, as our beloved nation gradually approaches the 2027 General Elections, the political atmosphere is becoming increasingly charged.
“Political alignments are taking shape, campaigns are gathering momentum, and the aspirations of individuals and political parties are becoming more pronounced.
“While democracy naturally accommodates healthy political competition, we must never lose sight of a more fundamental question that transcends politics.
“The greatest question before us today is not whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secures another term in office, nor whether any other presidential candidate emerges victorious.
“The most important question is this:
Will Nigeria remain united, peaceful, stable and stronger after the 2027 General Elections?
“This question should occupy the minds of every patriotic Nigerian,” he said.
Kingsley, who is currently challenging the May 25 primary election of the party that produced former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Mr Donald Duke, as PRP’s presidential candidate, said Nigeria has always been known as a deeply religious nation.
“Across every state and community, churches and mosques stand as symbols of our faith in God Almighty.
“Throughout our history, Nigerians have continually turned to God during moments of national uncertainty, and He has remained faithful.
“This is another defining moment. This is not the time for hatred. This is not the time for political bitterness.
“This is not the time for ethnic or religious division. This is the time for sincere repentance, fervent prayers, fasting, reconciliation and national healing,” he said.
Kingsley, therefore, called on every Nigerian, irrespective of political
affiliation, tribe, religion or social status, to unite in seeking the face of Almighty God for the peace and preservation of the country.
“I appeal to our respected Sheikhs, Imams, Mallams, Pastors, Reverends, Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles, Evangelists, Deacons, Deaconesses, traditional rulers, community leaders, women groups,
youth organisations, widows, senior citizens and every prayerful Nigerian to dedicate this season to earnest prayers for Nigeria.
“Let every church and every mosque remember Nigeria in their daily prayers. Let families establish prayer altars for our nation.
“Let fasting and intercession be offered for peace, justice and unity.
“Let us ask God to grant our nation peaceful, transparent, free, fair and credible elections that will truly reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” he said.
YMK said no Nigerian blood should be shed because of politics.
“Politics should never become a reason for violence, hatred or destruction. No political ambition is worth the life of a single Nigerian.
“I equally make a patriotic appeal to all presidential aspirants and political leaders across party lines to place Nigeria above personal ambition.
“I respectfully call upon President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and every other presidential aspirant and political stakeholder, regardless of political party, to conduct themselves in ways that strengthen our democracy, preserve national unity, and promote peaceful coexistence before, during, and after the elections.
“History will not merely remember who won elections; it will remember those who helped preserve the unity, peace and democratic stability of our nation.
“Our political parties—including the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Young Progressives Party (YPP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the African Action Congress (AAC), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the Labour Party (LP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and every other registered
political party—must remember that Nigeria is greater than any political platform.
“I further call upon all presidential aspirants, irrespective of political
affiliation, to prevail upon their supporters, campaign organisations and spokespersons to exercise utmost restraint in their public utterances.
“They should firmly discourage the use of inflammatory, abusive or provocative statements capable of inciting hatred, deepening divisions or unnecessarily overheating the polity.”
According vto him, elections are not a do-or-die affair; they are a constitutional and democratic process through which the people freely choose their leaders.
He, therefore, urged all the contestants to express political disagreements with civility
“Political disagreements must therefore be expressed with civility, mutual respect and strict adherence to the rule of law.
“Every aspirant bears a moral responsibility to ensure that the conduct of his or her followers promotes peace, tolerance and national cohesion before, during and after the elections,” he said.
Kingsley said Nigeria’s democracy must never become a battlefield.
“It must remain a peaceful contest of ideas, competence, integrity and vision.
“I also urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies, the media and all election stakeholders to discharge their constitutional and moral responsibilities with absolute neutrality, professionalism and patriotism.
“Every Nigerian deserves confidence that the electoral process will be peaceful, transparent and credible.
“The international community is watching. Future generations are watching. More importantly, God is watching.
“As a presidential aspirant under the banner of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to peaceful democratic engagement, issue-based campaigns, respect for the rule of law and acceptance of the legitimate wishes of the Nigerian people as expressed through a credible electoral process.
“Our collective responsibility extends beyond winning elections; it is to ensure that Nigeria survives, prospers and remains united for generations yet unborn.
“Let us therefore lower the temperature of our politics. Let us reject hate speech, incitement, misinformation and violence. Let us embrace dialogue, tolerance, mutual respect and national
brotherhood.
“Above all, let us pray without ceasing.
May Almighty God heal our land. May He protect Nigeria. May He grant wisdom to our leaders. May He guide every contestant.
“May He comfort every suffering family. May He preserve our unity. May He grant us peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible elections in 2027.
“And may the Federal Republic of Nigeria emerge stronger, more united and more prosperous than ever before. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless our democracy. God bless every patriotic Nigerian,” he concluded.