By George Ozalla
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, has urged Nigerians to actively participate in the 2027 general elections, warning that democracy suffers when citizens withdraw from the electoral process and remain silent.
Ojukwu made the call as Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Democracy, stressing that democracy goes beyond elections to include the protection of the dignity, voice and rights of every citizen.
According to him, democracy gives citizens the freedom to speak, choose their leaders, participate in governance and hold those in power accountable without fear.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the NHRC Executive Secretary called on politicians, political parties and their supporters to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public utterances.
He said democratic debate should not give room to hate speech, inciting statements, ethnic profiling or threats, urging political parties and candidates to make their campaigns issue-based and avoid language capable of provoking violence or undermining national unity.
Ojukwu said the Commission would continue to monitor hate speech and electoral violence, while urging eligible Nigerians to overcome voter apathy and participate actively in the electoral process.
He also cautioned citizens against selling their votes or believing that their votes do not count, stressing that the Permanent Voter’s Card remains an important instrument through which citizens exercise their right to choose their leaders.
“Democracy dies when citizens withdraw, and remain silent,” Ojukwu said, urging Nigerians to come out, vote and make their votes count.
He described the choice of leaders as both a right and a duty to the country.
Ojukwu, who is also President of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa, called on the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a level playing field for all political actors.
He said the safety of voters, journalists, election observers, human rights defenders and other citizens must be guaranteed throughout the electoral process.
The NHRC chief warned that anybody, irrespective of status or political affiliation, who sponsors violence, vote-buying, voter suppression or attacks on democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 elections should be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He described impunity as a major threat to democracy and called for a democratic system that delivers not only elections but also justice, equality and respect for human rights.
