The leading governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has warned against describing the 2027 governorship election as a war, saying such language is dangerous and capable of heating up the polity.
Ajadi was reacting to comments attributed to former Oyo State First Lady, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, who was quoted in a viral video as saying that the All Progressives Congress was “going to war” in the 2027 governorship election, with claims of federal backing and financial strength.
In a statement issued on Sunday through his media office, Ajadi described the remark as reckless and inflammatory, stressing that elections should never be portrayed as violent confrontations.
“Any statement that presents an election as a war is dangerous. Politics should not be militarised. Elections are meant to be peaceful contests of ideas and programmes, not threats or intimidation,” Ajadi said.
He warned that careless political utterances could have grave consequences, adding that anyone who incites violence through speech must be held responsible if such comments lead to loss of lives or breakdown of peace.
“If anybody loses their life in the course of the 2027 election as a result of such statements, the authors of those threats must be held morally and legally accountable,” he stated.
The PDP governorship hopeful expressed disappointment that such rhetoric could come from the wife of a former governor, noting that democratic values should be protected by leaders and their associates.
“It is unexpected coming from someone whose husband once governed Oyo State. Elections should be about vision, performance, and service to the people, not fear or violence,” Ajadi added.
He called on security agencies, civil society groups, and the Independent National Electoral Commission to take early note of statements capable of inflaming political tensions, insisting that warning signs should not be ignored.
Ajadi also dismissed claims that federal influence or money could determine the outcome of the 2027 election, saying Nigerians were increasingly conscious and ready to vote based on competence and credibility.
“Even if there are claims of financial inducement or federal backing, Nigerians are wiser now. Money and power cannot override the will of the people,” he said.
According to him, Oyo State has a long history of peaceful political engagement which must not be jeopardised by reckless statements.
“Oyo State is a peaceful state and must remain so. Any attempt to intimidate voters or create fear ahead of 2027 must be resisted by the people,” Ajadi said.
He urged political actors across party lines to focus on issue based campaigns and avoid statements capable of plunging the state into tension, stressing that no political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
“Democracy must stand. The people’s votes must count. Elections are not war,” Ajadi declared.
