General News
Eid-el-Kabir: Bamidele Greets Muslim Faithful, Cautions Political Actors against Violence ahead of 2027 Elections
I celebrate with my Muslim faithful across the federation on the commemoration of Eid-el-Kabir this day.
His life, no doubt, exemplifies the height of faith, obedience and the willingness to do the will of God Almighty. As we all celebrate today, these virtues are perfect standards for us as a people and as a Nation. Commemorating Eid-el-Kabir, therefore, should not be an annual ritual, but a time to recommit ourselves to our peaceful co-existence and collective prosperity.
This comes with a huge responsibility to build together, especially at a time when few rogue elements among us are pursuing an entirely different agenda. The elements always seek to create an atmosphere of uncertainty in our country and paint a picture of division in our ranks. Such courses of action do not align with the examples of faith, obedience and sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim left behind.
Prophet Ibrahim’s examples become more imperative now that we have fully entered a period of electioneering. Nearly all registered political parties have concluded their preliminary elections, and their standard bearers for different elective offices have emerged. I thus plead with all political actors and institutions to play by the rules and avoid actions that can plunge our Nation into violence.
We must learn from our history still striped with the blood of the victims of electoral violence. As shown in the report of the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, Nigeria has lost no fewer than 1,639 lives to electoral violence between 1999 and 2023. From 80 lives in 1999 to 100 in 2003; 300 in 2007; 800 in 2011; 100 in 2015; 150 in 2019 and 109 in 2023, the cost of electoral violence is too much for us as a federation to bear. It must come to an end now.
No Nigerian deserves to die again because some people are seeking political offices by all means, whether justified or un justified. Regardless of our political parties, we must go into the campaign, indeed 2027 elections, with a definite resolve that Nigeria is our collective heritage; that our activities must be conducted according to the extant laws; and that no life will be lost as a result.
At this solemn time that coincides with the 2026 International Children’s Day, we must remember all our children and parents that are still held in the captivity of rogue elements in different parts of the federation, especially 87 children and teachers recently kidnapped in Borno and Oyo States. Holding these children in captivity is a breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children. While we pray for them fervently, our security forces are committed to secure their release very soon and bring them back to the warm embrace of their families.
At the National Assembly, we are committed to building a system that guarantees safety and security of lives and property even in the remotest parts. We are also committed to strengthening our social security system to meet the needs and aspirations of our teeming young population. We are finally committed to evolving a system that will mete out maximum consequences against all perpetrators of kidnapping and their allies. For us, kidnapping in all its ramifications is a crime against humanity, and it must be treated as such.
On behalf of the National Assembly, I wish you all a peaceful, joyous, and blessed celebration. May God Almighty accept our prayers, as we strive daily to build a Nation that we can be proud of and that other nations globally will treat with dignity and respect.
Eid Mubarak! Happy Sallah!! Happy Children!!!
Senator Opeyemi Bamide, CON,
Leader of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
27th May 2026.