Opeyemi Bamidele has warned political actors against violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that no Nigerian should lose their life because of political ambitions.
He made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs to mark the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Bamidele urged citizens to reflect on the virtues of faith, obedience, and sacrifice associated with the festival, noting that the period should also encourage national unity and peaceful coexistence.
According to him, Nigeria must avoid repeating the pattern of 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,” he said.
The Senate leader emphasised that political campaigns and the 2027 elections must be conducted strictly within the ambit of 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 added.
Bamidele cited data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, noting that Nigeria recorded 1,639 deaths linked to electoral violence between 1999 and 2023.
He said the country must learn from its history, which he described as “still striped with the blood of the victims of electoral violence.”
The lawmaker also called on Nigerians to pray for children and families affected by ongoing insecurity, including victims of kidnapping across the country.
He referenced reports of 87 children and teachers recently abducted in Borno State and Oyo State.
Bamidele described such abductions as a violation of international child protection standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
He assured Nigerians that security agencies are working to secure the release of the victims and return them safely to their families.
“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 also reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening security laws and institutions to better protect lives and property across the country.
He added that lawmakers are considering stronger penalties for kidnappers and their collaborators, describing kidnapping as a “crime against humanity” that must be treated with utmost seriousness.
