“No Nigerian deserves to die because we’re seeking political offices” – Senate Leader

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the leader of the Nigerian Senate, has strongly condemned the rising killings and political violence being instigated by political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs to mark Eid-el-Kabir, Senator Bamidele declared that no Nigerian should lose their life simply because politicians are seeking elective offices.

“No Nigerian, whether old or young, deserves to die because some people are seeking political offices by all means, whether justified or unjustified,” he said.

The Senate Leader cautioned political actors against inciting violence before, during, and after the 2027 elections.

He urged all citizens to approach the electoral process with maturity and respect for the law.

“We must learn from our history still stained with the blood of victims of electoral violence. As shown in the report of the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, Nigeria has lost no fewer than 1,639 lives to electoral violence between 1999 and 2023,” Bamidele stated.

He emphasised that Nigeria remains a collective heritage that must be protected, adding that political activities must be conducted strictly according to the Constitution and extant laws, with zero tolerance for the loss of lives.

The Senate Leader also used the occasion to call for the release of all persons, particularly children, parents, and teachers, currently held in captivity by bandits and kidnappers across the country.

“We must remember all our children, parents and teachers that are still held in the captivity of rogue elements in different parts of the federation, especially the 87 children and teachers recently kidnapped in Borno and Oyo States,” he said.

Bamidele described the continued detention of children as a clear violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. He noted that security forces are working to secure their release and reunite them with their families.

While urging Nigerians to emulate the virtues of faith, obedience, and submission to the will of God as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (AS), the Senate Leader reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to building a secure nation and strengthening social safety nets for the youth.

“At the National Assembly, we are committed to building a system that guarantees the safety and security of lives and property even in the remotest parts.

“We are also committed to strengthening our social security system to meet the needs and aspirations of our teeming young population,” he added.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​