Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has cautioned politicians against actions capable of heating up the polity ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that no political office is worth the life of any Nigerian.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday at the 7th Annual Lecture of Freedom Online Newspapers, themed, “2027: Elections, Economy, Security and Nigeria’s Future.” The lecture brought together political leaders and other stakeholders to discuss the country’s political, economic and security challenges ahead of the next general elections.
The Lagos governor said political activities ahead of the 2027 elections were already beginning to take shape, warning political actors to avoid conduct that could threaten peace and stability across the country.
According to him, the contest for political power should not come at the expense of human lives, urging politicians to place the interests of Nigerians above their electoral ambitions.
Sanwo-Olu also predicted that the removal of the petrol subsidy would become a major campaign issue as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
He, however, defended the decision to remove the subsidy, maintaining that the policy was necessary to protect the Nigerian economy from the burden associated with the previous subsidy regime.
The governor stressed that political leaders should focus on the long-term interests of the country rather than exploiting economic challenges solely for electoral advantage.
The lecture also featured contributions from former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who chaired the occasion, and former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, who served as Special Guest of Honour.
Mohammed said the 2027 election should be viewed as more than a contest for political power, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and advance nation-building.
He argued that politics should not overshadow governance, noting that the true measure of democratic progress should include the ability of elections to strengthen institutions, attract investment and promote peace.
The former minister also highlighted the relationship between security and economic development, stressing that businesses and investors could not thrive in an environment where lives and property were not adequately protected.
Similarly, Daniel described security as an economic issue and an essential component of Nigeria’s economic infrastructure.
He called on the Federal Government to diversify the economy beyond crude oil, identifying Nigeria’s youthful population, entrepreneurial culture, technology sector, financial institutions and creative economy as areas with significant potential.
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According to him, the country must transform these opportunities into productive employment, higher incomes and improved living standards, particularly for young Nigerians.
“They need more than speeches. They need skills, employment, access to capital, technology, and a society in which enterprise and hard work can lead to a better life,” Daniel said.
In his welcome address, the Publisher of Freedom Online Newspapers, Gabriel Akinadewo, expressed concern that Nigeria appeared to be trapped in a four-year election cycle without a corresponding four-year development cycle.
Akinadewo noted that Nigeria would attain 28 years of uninterrupted civilian rule by May 29, 2027, describing the milestone as significant in the country’s democratic journey.
He called for a political system in which elections would contribute to consolidating development rather than becoming a recurring distraction from governance.
The 7th Freedom Online lecture was organised to examine the likely impact of the 2027 elections on Nigeria’s economy, security and future, with organisers earlier identifying insecurity and election-related violence as major concerns requiring urgent attention.
Participants at the event therefore emphasised the need for political actors to conduct their campaigns responsibly and ensure that the 2027 electoral process contributes to national stability, economic growth and democratic development.