IBB urges unity and peace as APC campaign council visits him in Minna

Former military head of state General Ibrahim Babangida has asked Nigerians to put national unity and peaceful coexistence above personal and party interests as campaigns for the 2027 general elections gather pace.

Babangida spoke on Wednesday at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State, when members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign Council in the state visited him.

According to reports of the visit, he urged Nigerians to embrace peace, tolerance and mutual respect throughout the electioneering period, and warned against actions that could threaten the country's unity and stability.

He also prayed for Niger State and Nigeria, expressing hope for a peaceful and successful electoral process.

What the campaign council said

The delegation was led by Ahmed Musa Ibeto, a former deputy governor of Niger State and director-general of the campaign council.

Ibeto thanked Babangida for his advice, encouragement and prayers. He assured him that the council would keep its campaigns issue-based and development-oriented, with the interest of Niger State at the centre.

He added that the council would make unity and peaceful coexistence among residents a priority throughout the campaign period.

The visit comes as political activity picks up across the country ahead of the 2027 elections. For ordinary Nigerians, the tone of the campaigns matters: heated rhetoric has in the past raised tensions in communities and disrupted daily life, from transport to markets and schools.

Babangida, who led Nigeria as military president from 1985 to 1993, remains a figure whose comments on national politics draw attention, particularly in the North.

What happens next

Campaigns are expected to intensify in the coming weeks, with parties holding rallies and meetings across states. The sources did not give a date for further engagements by the Niger State campaign council.