The Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS), on Sunday in Abuja, said the safety of Nigerians and the protection of democratic freedoms must take precedence over partisan interests.

TMS director-general, Marcel Ngogbehei,  said this in a statement while reacting to what he described as growing incidents of political violence, intimidation and attacks on political gatherings ahead of the 2027 elections.

He welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s position against political violence and his directive for appropriate security action.

Mr Ngogbehei urged political parties, candidates and supporters to embrace the call for peaceful political engagement and reject all forms of violence.

The group’s director-general expressed particular concern over reports of an alleged attack involving Mr  Tinubu’s convoy following Friday prayers at a mosque in Abuja on Friday. He described any attempt to attack a political leader, disrupt religious activities or endanger worshippers and other members of the public as unacceptable, regardless of the political grievances involved.

He, however, emphasised that the circumstances surrounding the reported incident must be established through credible investigations. According to him,  allegations of objects being thrown at the presidential convoy should not be treated as conclusively established without verification.

He called on security agencies to implement lawful measures to prevent attacks against political leaders, opposition figures, journalists and ordinary citizens.

“Democracy thrives on persuasion, not coercion, and no political ambition is worth the blood of any innocent Nigerian,” Mr Ngogbehei said.

He maintained that Nigerians had the right to express political disagreement peacefully without resorting to intimidation, violence or conduct capable of endangering lives. Mr Ngogbehei said the reported incident on the presidential convoy underscored the urgency of preventive security measures and responsible conduct by political leaders and their supporters.

“We must condemn violence without politicising the pain of its victims; the suffering of innocent Nigerians should never become campaign ammunition or an opportunity for political blame-trading,” he said.

According to him, political leaders have a responsibility to calm tensions, discourage retaliation and cooperate with security agencies rather than encourage suspicion through inflammatory statements.

He maintained that individuals who organise, finance, encourage, or perpetrate political violence must face investigation and prosecution, regardless of their political affiliations or social standing.

He called on the police and other security agencies to strengthen protective arrangements around political rallies, campaign offices, town hall meetings, processions and other lawful political activities.

He restated that Mr Tinubu’s stance against political violence should reinforce the principle that all Nigerians deserve equal protection, regardless of the political parties or candidates they support.

(NAN)