2027 Elections: Sultan Urges Nigerians To Make Their Votes Count

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the performance of their political leaders to use their votes to effect change during the 2027 general elections rather than resorting to insults, particularly on social media.

The monarch made the remarks in Abuja while receiving an 11-member Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the Sultan said Nigerians have a constitutional right to vote out elected officials whose performance they consider unsatisfactory.

He encouraged citizens to support leaders while they remain in office, offer constructive advice and pray for them, particularly when they believe those in authority are making wrong decisions.

“Insults don’t make things change but go and vote him out because you have that right to vote,” the Sultan said.

He also urged Nigerians to avoid inflammatory political statements and actions that could heighten tensions ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that political disagreements should not degenerate into violence.

The Sultan said peace remained essential to Nigeria’s development and warned that conflict would not serve the interests of citizens or political actors.

He further encouraged Nigerians to participate responsibly in the democratic process, noting that political leaders ultimately derive their authority from the electorate.

The traditional ruler also expressed concern about the spread of false and damaging information on social media. He clarified that his criticism was not directed at legitimate social media engagement but at individuals who deliberately create and circulate information they cannot substantiate.

The Sultan said he remained committed to speaking openly on issues affecting the country and urged Nigerians to do the same responsibly and without fear or favour.

He also welcomed the activities of the Council of the Wise and encouraged greater cooperation among organisations working to promote peace and credible elections.

Earlier, Ariwoola explained that the council was reconstituted in June 2026 to contribute to peaceful, free, fair and credible elections. He said its 11 members had been engaging political and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 polls.

Ariwoola appealed to the Sultan to support efforts aimed at encouraging political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct campaigns without rancour, hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric or violence.

The former Chief Justice also urged political parties to adhere to their constitutions and codes of conduct, while calling on candidates and their supporters to comply with electoral laws and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He further advised presidential candidates to focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians and present practical solutions to the country’s challenges.

The Council of the Wise, he said, would continue engaging stakeholders across the country as part of efforts to promote peaceful and credible elections in 2027.

The Sultan’s call for citizens to hold leaders accountable through elections is consistent with remarks he made earlier in 2026 urging Nigerians to identify their priorities and engage political leaders over public spending and governance.