Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has cautioned political actors against actions that could destabilise the system as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a personally signed statement, the Vice President called for restraint within the progressive fold, warning against “pulling down the roof” in the heat of competition. He noted that the country is entering a familiar phase of heightened political engagement, marked by consultations, alliance-building, and increased outreach to delegates and stakeholders.
Describing the period as a reflection of a functioning democracy, Shettima said the renewed activity shows that political power remains something to be earned through persuasion, negotiation, and healthy contest.
However, he warned that such seasons often come with heightened tensions, where ambition can be mistaken for conflict and political rivalry misinterpreted as hostility.
“It is not unusual for members of the same political family to hold divergent ambitions, loyalties, and expectations,” he said, adding that democracy does not eliminate competition but rather provides a framework for managing it constructively.
The Vice President emphasised the need for political actors to compete without undermining one another or weakening the platforms that sustain democratic participation. He also urged stakeholders to avoid being influenced by misinformation, divisive narratives, or vested interests seeking to exploit differences for personal gain.
Shettima’s remarks come amid growing political manoeuvring across party lines as contenders begin positioning ahead of the next general elections.