“One life is worth more than the seat of the President” — National Convener urges issue-based campaigns, peaceful elections
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gradually gather momentum, the National Convener and Director-General of the Integrity Group of Nigeria, Dr. Oke Idawene, has declared the organisation’s determination to mobilise massive grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Idawene, who described himself as “The Messenger” and an unrepentant supporter of the APC, said the Integrity Group was targeting a minimum of 10 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, while pledging to consolidate its structures across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking during an interview, Idawene said the organisation had established a nationwide presence and was particularly committed to promoting what it described as the developmental strides of governments at both state and federal levels.
“Integrity Group, we support good governance. We disseminate government developmental strides to the grassroots, to the common man, to the populace, to everyone in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the organisation emerged from what it perceived as a gap between government policies and the people, particularly the inability of some administrations to adequately communicate their programmes and achievements to citizens.
He explained that the Integrity Group therefore positions itself as a grassroots information and mobilisation platform, taking information about government policies and programmes directly to communities.
‘We Are the Face of Good Governance’
Idawene said the group had been particularly active in Delta State, where he claimed it had supported the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for more than three years.
He said the organisation had also been monitoring and communicating the activities of government agencies and political actors at the grassroots, including the efforts of local government chairmen.
“We have seen that government programmes and progress are not properly disseminated. So, our platform is to give information to everyone,” he stated.
The Integrity Group leader also commended the Delta State Government, including the governor and First Lady, for programmes he said were positively impacting citizens.
He maintained that the organisation’s primary objective was not merely political mobilisation but the promotion of good governance by ensuring that citizens were informed about government policies and interventions.
“Everybody is somebody. We are all the face of these organisations. Integrity Group is primarily supporting good governance to ensure that everyone is abreast of the happenings within the states,” he said.
Firm Support for Tinubu
At the national level, however, Idawene made no attempt to disguise the group’s political preference.
He declared the Integrity Group’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC, saying the organisation had undertaken summits, symposiums and other programmes across the country in support of the administration.
He said the group had organised programmes in Abuja and several other states as part of its efforts to explain the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration to Nigerians.
“We are for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are interested in the FCT, and we are doing the same thing nationwide,” he said.
According to him, the organisation’s ultimate objective is to mobilise at least 10 million votes for Tinubu in 2027.
“Our target is to give the President 10 million votes minimum, come 2027. In Delta, we are giving all out to all APC all the way. That is what we are. That’s what we represent,” he declared.
‘Tinubu Has Done Incredibly Well’
Asked whether the Tinubu administration had performed well enough to deserve another mandate from Nigerians, Idawene responded emphatically in the affirmative.
“We have done incredibly well,” he declared.
He argued that President Tinubu deliberately embarked on policies that, in his view, were designed to produce long-term economic transformation rather than immediate political applause.
Idawene cited the administration’s economic policies, infrastructure development, security efforts and education initiatives as areas in which he believed the government had made significant progress.
He also referred to comments attributed to international and Nigerian personalities in assessing the administration’s performance, including World Trade Organization Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and United States President Donald Trump.
“These are people in the world. When they make a statement, they make it with facts,” he said, stressing that his assessment was based partly on what he described as observations from respected authorities.
Idawene further praised the Federal Government for the financial resources available to state and local governments through federal allocations, challenging subnational authorities to demonstrate how such resources were being utilised for development.
“If local government chairman is not doing well, ask him what are the funds are used for,” he said.
Infrastructure, Security and Economic Reforms
The Integrity Group leader also pointed to infrastructure development as another area where he believed the Tinubu administration deserved commendation.
He specifically referenced concerns over the Benin–Asaba road, saying that the intervention following public complaints demonstrated what he described as the President’s responsiveness to citizens.
“As we speak, it has been attended to. We have a listening President,” he asserted.
Idawene also praised the administration’s efforts in education and referred to funding initiatives, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), while arguing that the government had made progress across several sectors.
On national security, he said the administration had demonstrated a willingness to confront insecurity and expressed the belief that continued efforts would produce greater stability.
He further expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic prospects, arguing that the country’s financial position could improve substantially before the end of the administration.
A Call for Issue-Based Campaigns
Despite his strong partisan position, Idawene struck a conciliatory tone when asked about the nature of political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
He called on politicians across party lines to make their campaigns issue-based and avoid personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric and violence.
“Power belongs to God. Maintain issue-based campaign, constructive criticism, not destructive criticism,” he advised.
For Idawene, the value of human life must remain above political ambition.
“One bloodshed is more important than even the seat of the President of Nigeria. Every life is worth more than power struggle,” he declared.
He acknowledged that political contests are inherently competitive, but argued that the struggle for political power must be conducted within the boundaries of decency, hard work and democratic engagement.
“Power is not given, it is taken. But taken in decorum, taken in decency, taken with hard work, taken with proof of what you have done or what you will do,” he said.
‘Election Is a Civil Matter’
The Integrity Group chief also appealed directly to political candidates and their supporters to discourage violence during the electioneering period.
He urged politicians contesting positions from the State Houses of Assembly to the Presidency to educate their supporters that electoral contests should not become battles between citizens.
“Tell your followers that election is a civil matter. Let us not go on fighting ourselves,” he appealed.
According to him, political differences should not destroy the social bonds that unite Nigerians.
“Above all, we are brothers and sisters in Nigeria,” he said.
He therefore urged all political actors to work towards creating a peaceful environment before, during and after the 2027 elections.
‘Delta Should Unite Behind Development’
On Delta State politics, Idawene was equally unequivocal in his support for the incumbent administration, calling on political actors who may be considering challenging Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to reconsider their positions and join what he described as the state’s development agenda.
He urged political stakeholders to prioritise the development of Delta State over personal political ambitions.
“Come join him to build Delta State. He is taking all over the states and he is doing well,” he said.
While the Integrity Group remains firmly aligned with the APC and President Tinubu at the national level, Idawene’s comments suggest that the organisation intends to remain a major grassroots mobilisation platform as political calculations for 2027 intensify.
With its stated presence across the federation and its ambitious target of mobilising 10 million votes for President Tinubu, the organisation appears set to play a more visible role in the political mobilisation landscape ahead of the next general elections.
For Idawene, however, political mobilisation must ultimately be anchored on governance, development, peaceful participation and communication with the people.
“I remain Dr. Oke Idawene, The Messenger,” he concluded.
