Peace Day: CHRCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Peaceful Elections, Says ‘Ballots, Not Bullets’
The Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Lokoja, Kogi State, Idris Miliki Abdul, has called on political parties, candidates, supporters, voters and other stakeholders to embrace peace as Nigeria approaches a series of elections.
Abdul made the call in a statement on Monday, September 21, 2026, to commemorate the International Day of Peace, urging Nigerians to ensure that political contests do not degenerate into violence.
The United Nations marks September 21 every year as the International Day of Peace. The 2026 observance is themed “Investing in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
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According to Abdul, the significance of this year’s Peace Day is particularly important for Nigeria as the country prepares for the Kogi State local government elections scheduled for October 17, 2026, as well as the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has scheduled the local government elections for October 17, 2026, across the state’s 21 local government areas.
He also pointed to the 2027 general elections, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Abdul stressed that elections should be seen as a democratic process rather than a do-or-die affair.
“Elections are a process and not a one-day event,” he said, calling on political parties, candidates, their supporters and voters across the country to understand that elections are contests in which differences should be resolved peacefully.
He particularly appealed to Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence or destruction during political campaigns and elections.
According to him, Nigerian youths have an important role to play in the country’s present and future leadership, and should therefore protect the peace and democratic institutions of the country rather than participate in electoral violence.
The CHRCR Executive Director also called on electoral management bodies to put adequate mechanisms in place to guarantee a peaceful environment before, during and after elections.
He urged KOSIEC, in relation to the Kogi State local government elections, and INEC, at the national level, to strengthen preparations for peaceful, transparent and credible electoral processes.
Abdul further appealed to security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to conduct comprehensive security mapping to identify electoral flashpoints and trigger zones ahead of the elections.
He said such mapping would facilitate effective coordination and collaboration among security agencies, electoral bodies, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
He also called on international development partners to support credible civil society organisations working to promote peaceful elections and democratic participation in Nigeria.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, Abdul urged Nigerians to reject violence and protect the democratic process.
He concluded with a message he described as essential to the country’s democratic future: “It must be ballots and not bullets.”
Abdul wished Nigerians a peaceful International Day of Peace and urged all stakeholders to make peace-building a continuous responsibility rather than an activity limited to election periods.
