The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called on political leaders to discourage actions capable of escalating political tension, warning that Nigeria cannot afford another security challenge amid its ongoing battle against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Hashim made the appeal during a solidarity visit to the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, following an attack on him in Ekiti State.
He described political violence as a threat to democratic freedoms and national stability, insisting that the country must not allow political disagreements to degenerate into physical attacks.
“Nigeria cannot afford to add political violence to the general insecurity in the land,” he said.
The Accord Party candidate welcomed a statement by a United Nations representative expressing concern over the incident but urged other international partners to also speak out against politically motivated attacks.
Hashim also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to caution members of his political team against statements and actions capable of provoking confrontation.
“The President should call his team to order. They should not provoke war because they would be the first to run away,” he said.
The visit also highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two activists, which dates back to their involvement in the pro-democracy movement against military rule.
Describing Sowore as a comrade from their early days of activism, Hashim said, “Sowore is our own. We brought him into the movement in 1989/1990.”
Responding, Sowore expressed appreciation for the visit, describing Hashim as a senior comrade who introduced him to political activism at the University of Lagos.
“I am most grateful for this solidarity visit by my senior comrade and colleague, presidential candidate of the Accord Party. He was one of those who brought me into the struggle in UNILAG. We fought against military rule together when some people ran away,” he said.
Sowore, however, maintained that the attack would not deter him from pursuing his political and democratic convictions.
“We are not intimidated, and we shall continue to fight until genuine democracy is established,” he added.
The solidarity visit underscored the need for political tolerance and restraint among public office holders and their supporters, particularly as Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity.
Both activists emphasised the importance of protecting democratic freedoms and ensuring that political differences are resolved through peaceful and lawful means rather than violence.
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