President Bola Tinubu has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties after appealing for peaceful political campaigns, months after declaring that “all is fair in politics.”

 

The Controversy

On November 13, 2026, Tinubu appealed for civility and peace in political discourse, urging candidates to campaign without intimidation or harassment. The call drew immediate backlash from critics who pointed to his July 28, 2026, remarks, in which he reportedly stated that “all is fair in politics” and vowed to wrestle opponents “to the finishing point.”

 

NDC Reacts

The Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) faulted the President over what it described as a glaring contradiction between his earlier combative rhetoric and his recent call for political civility.

In a statement signed by its Enugu State Secretary, Nebo Chukwujekwu Emmanuel, the party questioned what had prompted the sudden shift in tone, suggesting the appeal may have been triggered by public backlash and reported embarrassment surrounding the President’s recent mosque visit.

“Peace should not become a convenient sermon preached only when the political atmosphere becomes uncomfortable for those in power,” the NDC said.

The party accused Tinubu of stoking political hostility through his past remarks while now presenting himself as an advocate for peace. It challenged him to clarify the limits of his earlier declaration, questioning whether intimidation, political thuggery, and the harassment of opposition parties fell within his definition of acceptable political tactics.

“If all is fair in politics, where do you draw the line between political competition and political violence? Is intimidation fair? Is political thuggery fair? Is the harassment of opposition parties fair? Are Nigerians expected to accept double standards in the name of political expediency?” the statement queried.

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Emphasising that democracy is governed by constitutional rights, fairness, and the rule of law rather than strong-arm tactics, the NDC urged the President to back his words with concrete action. It called on him to ensure that security agencies protect all political parties equally and allow opposition candidates to campaign freely without selective law enforcement.

“Mr President, peace is not a political strategy to be activated when the tables turn. It is a leadership responsibility that must be upheld at all times, whether the political atmosphere favours you or challenges you,” the statement added, urging that the 2027 general elections focus on ideas, competence, and citizens’ welfare.

 

2027: Tinubu Must Withdraw ‘All Is Fair in Politics’ Remark, Embrace Peaceful Coexistence — ADC-PCC

Similarly, the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has demanded that President Tinubu publicly retract his “all is fair in politics” comment, warning that such rhetoric fuels division, emboldens thugs, and threatens national stability.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC faulted the President’s silence regarding alleged inflammatory remarks and incitement by governors and chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The council described it as shocking that rather than calling his party members to order, the Presidency, through presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, had chosen to caution opposition parties while shielding those allegedly responsible for violence within the APC.

“President Tinubu cannot claim to desire peace when his own words provide cover for violence. ‘All Is Fair in Politics’ is not the language of a Head of State. It is the language of political desperation and an open licence for thuggery, ballot snatching, intimidation and bloodshed,” the statement read.

Citing reports of attacks on opposition gatherings, destruction of campaign materials, and assaults on supporters across Edo, Cross River, Gombe, Lagos, Kebbi, and Kaduna states, the ADC-PCC accused the Presidency of resorting to diversionary tactics and blaming victims.

The council challenged Tinubu to explain why his warnings appeared directed solely at the opposition, invoking former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 declaration that no political ambition was worth the blood of any Nigerian.

“If former President Goodluck Jonathan could make that profound declaration in 2015, President Tinubu has no excuse not to say so and demonstrate the sincerity of his commitment to peace in 2026,” the ADC-PCC stated, affirming that it would continue to run an issue-based campaign focused on tackling hunger, insecurity, unemployment, and corruption ahead of the 2027 polls.

What’s Next

Both the NDC and the ADC-PCC maintain that President Tinubu must match his appeal for peace with decisive action by ensuring impartial protection from security agencies and holding perpetrators of campaign violence accountable, regardless of party affiliation.