The chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy has advised voters to reject candidates who campaign based on religion, calling them "nation wreckers."

Speaking at the launch of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committees, she warned that campaigns along religious and ethnic lines could destabilise the country ahead of the upcoming elections.

“It is our hope that it will not happen that somebody will stand somewhere and urge people to vote for them on the basis on religion or urge people to not vote for others on the basis of religion. If people do that, we will call them out and tell them they are nation wreckers. We are also paying close attention to religious intolerance and ethnic based campaigns that are divisive and that do not augur well for us.”

“The ethnic based campaigns are something that we see popping up during most elections. It is a very unhealthy practise and we hope that as time goes on, as we deepen and mature in our democracy, we will see less and less of that,” she said.

She stated that new voters should avoid the practise of voting along ethnic lines to address the rising threat of religious intolerance.

The NCCE chairperson urged voters to be cautious of candidates who focus on religion in their campaigns, as they may not have the best interest of the public in mind.

“Now people want to couch messages in terms of religion, - why one person should vote for one type of religion or another person should not vote for one type of religion.  Let me reinstate here that when political actors come to you and say that vote for me on the basis of this religion or don’t vote for somebody else on the basis of this religion, you must know that the person does not have your interest at heart.”

The chairperson also explained the dangers of vote buying, warning that the practice could threaten the country's democracy.

“The demand and supply of money in the political campaigns, this year we are seeing more and more of that. It is worrying. It is disturbing and it is a very negative development and unfortunate. As we grow in our democracy, we should be getting stronger, the democratic culture should be rooted. We should move away from any negative things. When it comes to money and politics, it looks like the more we mature in the democracy, the more we make it about money. This is completely wrong and very dangerous.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Arimiyawo Shaibu, cautioned the media to monitor and prevent divisive language during interviews to preserve peace during the election.

He also called on the media to play its watchdog role effectively to safeguard the peace of the country during the 2024 elections.

“We rely on you so much. If someone comes to your media house and speaks in a very reckless manner without thinking about the content of what he says and the tone of the discussions. Media discussions are healthy and seen as an opportunity to make an exchange. Exchange is how we put ideas together and helps us in a way to arrive at a choice and the best for our country.”