No one deserves to die, Senate leader warns against electoral violence

The leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has warned political actors against violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying no Nigerian deserves to lose his or her life because of political ambitions.

Bamidele made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs to commemorate the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

He urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of faith, obedience and sacrifice exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim, noting that the season should also serve as a period for national reflection and peaceful coexistence.

According to him, the country must avoid a repeat of the violence that has characterised previous election cycles.

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

The senate leader stressed that political campaigns and the 2027 elections should be conducted in line with the law and without violence.

“Regardless of our political parties, we must go into the campaign, indeed, the 2027 elections, with a definite resolve that Nigeria is our collective heritage; that our activities must be conducted according to the extant laws; and that no life will be lost as a result,” he stated.

Citing data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, Bamidele noted that Nigeria recorded 1,639 deaths linked to electoral violence between 1999 and 2023.

“We must learn from our history still striped with the blood of the victims of electoral violence,” he added.

The lawmaker also called on Nigerians to pray for children, parents and teachers still being held captive by kidnappers and bandits across the country.

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

Bamidele described the abduction of children as a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and assured Nigerians that security agencies were working towards securing the victims’ release.

“While we pray for them fervently, our security forces are committed to securing their release very soon and bringing them back to the warm embrace of their families,” he said.

The Senate leader further assured Nigerians of the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening laws and institutions aimed at improving security across the country.

“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,” he said.

He added that lawmakers were also committed to creating stronger penalties for kidnappers and their collaborators.

“For us, kidnapping in all its ramifications is a crime against humanity, and it must be treated as such,” Bamidele stated.