“Politics Is About Choices, Not Hatred” — Ganye Political Talisman Calls for Issue-Based Campaigns, Peace and Unity
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum across the state, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Peace Commission and revered elder statesman, Alhaji Sadiq Mohammed Walin Ganye, has issued a passionate appeal to politicians, supporters and citizens of Adamawa State to embrace civility, tolerance and issue-based political engagement.
The respected statesman urged political actors and their followers to learn the art of disagreeing without becoming enemies, insisting that the true strength of democracy lies in the freedom to make different choices without sacrificing brotherhood, peace and communal harmony.
According to him, politics must never be allowed to become a battlefield where friendships are destroyed, families divided and communities set against one another.
“Politics is about choices, not hatred,” the political talisman of Ganye Chiefdom declared, calling on the people of Adamawa to judge candidates by their records, competence, ideas, vision and tangible contributions to the lives of ordinary citizens.
Wali insisted that political campaigns must be anchored on facts, verifiable records, policies, programmes, character and the demonstrated capacity of candidates to deliver meaningful development — not on personal attacks or destructive rhetoric. He cautioned politicians and their supporters in particular against insults, character assassination, tribal sentiment, religious manipulation and other divisive tactics capable of inflaming passions and stoking needless tension among the people.
The elder statesman emphasised that democracy naturally allows citizens to support different parties and candidates, and stressed that political differences should never be allowed to erode the bonds of friendship, family and community that hold society together. Two people, he noted, can stand on opposite sides of the political divide and still remain brothers, sisters, friends and responsible citizens of the same state.
“People can support different candidates and still remain brothers and sisters,” he said — a message that resonates powerfully with the growing call for responsible political participation as 2027 draws near.
He further urged political parties, candidates, campaign organisations and youths to resist the temptation to weaponise ethnic and religious identity for political advantage.
Looking ahead to 2027, the political oracle of Adamawa State called on citizens to place the collective interest of the state above individual political ambition. He urged that the coming political season be used for serious conversations around development, employment, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, security and economic empowerment — rather than allowing campaigns to degenerate into endless mudslinging.
For Wali, the ultimate goal should never simply be one party or candidate defeating another, but Adamawa State itself emerging victorious through the election of leaders capable of transforming the state and improving the lives of its people.
“As the 2027 general elections draw closer, let us make Adamawa State the winner. Let us promote politics that unites rather than divides; politics that focuses on development rather than insults; politics that presents ideas rather than hatred; and politics that gives the people hope rather than fear.”
The statesman’s intervention comes as political mobilisation intensifies, with various actors already positioning themselves ahead of the polls. Wali reminded politicians that elections will come and go, but the people and communities of Adamawa will remain — warning against conduct capable of leaving permanent scars on relationships and social cohesion.
He called for a political culture where candidates compete vigorously but respectfully, supporters campaign passionately but responsibly, and citizens vote based on performance, credibility, vision and competence — urging Adamawa to reject the politics of division and embrace a new era where political contests become battles of ideas and development blueprints.
For Wali, the message is as simple as it is profound: political opponents are not enemies, differences are not hatred, and elections must never be allowed to destroy the very society leaders seek to govern.
As the road to 2027 comes increasingly into view, the revered Ganye-born statesman is challenging Adamawa’s political class to rise above bitterness and give the electorate a campaign season worthy of them — one where ideas compete, records speak, visions inspire, and the collective interest of Adamawa remains supreme.
The battle for political power may be fierce. But according to Wali, the battle for the peace, unity and development of Adamawa must be fiercer still.
