A cultural organisation and social enterprise, Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA), has officially flagged off its 2027 Election Integrity Campaign and launched a musical anthem aimed at addressing political incitement and religious hate speech ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The campaign, tagged “No Be War,” was unveiled by the Founder and Executive Director of UVA, Ayodele Ganiu, on Wednesday at a press conference in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Ganiu, who was accompanied by members of the organisation’s management, said national cohesion was increasingly threatened by political incitement and religious hate speech as the country prepares for the elections.
He expressed concern over what he described as inflammatory messages from political actors and some religious leaders, saying such rhetoric could deepen divisions among Nigerians.
“On one hand, we see political actors inciting violence on the streets, only to slickly retreat into calling their directives “harmless political metaphors” when real harm occurs. On the other hand, we face dangerous pulpit and podium polarization from religious leaders across faiths. Our Islamic and Christian clerics are weaponizing religion to divide us,” he said.
According to Ganiu, the musical campaign was designed to reclaim the civic narrative and remind Nigerians that political and religious differences should not be allowed to destroy relationships within communities.
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He urged Nigerians, particularly voters, not to allow divisive rhetoric to determine their choices or define the country’s future.
Ganiu said the organisation was particularly concerned about messages that seek to mobilise voters along religious lines.
“Islamic Clerics are mobilising religious bloc dominance by demanding exclusive “Muslim-Muslim tickets,” labelling fellow citizens who are not Muslims, as “infidels” and preaching extreme rhetoric of pre-emptive subjugation by claiming religious authority to forcibly confine non-adherents to their homes and restrict them from public markets,” he stated.
He also said some Christian clerics were promoting sectarian loyalty over national citizenship.
“Christian Clerics are replacing civic duty with sectarian loyalty, elevating “kingdom identity” over national citizenship, reducing complex democratic elections into binary headcount formulas and asserting from the pulpit that non-participation or voting against the Church equals “voting for Satan,” he stated.
Ganiu added: “Whether framed as spiritual warfare or pre-emptive religious dominance, these toxic rhetorics reduce democratic choices to existential battles and turn neighbours against one another. We refuse to let such division define our future. Through music and narrative storytelling, we are taking back the civic narrative.”
The campaign’s official single, titled Your Choice, was performed by lead vocalist MOOH alongside rap artistes Tijay Webster and Dr Pure.
Ganiu described the track as a mid-tempo Afrobeats-R&B song designed to counter hate speech and draw attention to the shared experiences of Nigerians across religious and political divides.
“This soulful, mid-tempo Afrobeats-R&B track disarms hate speech and grounds us in everyday reality. It echoes the sharp voice of the market Tomato Seller in our campaign, who cuts through clerical and political theatrics to remind everyone that regardless of faith or political party, we all buy from the same market and face the same economic struggles,” he said.
He disclosed that the music launch would precede the premiere of a music video and short film scheduled for September.
The production, shot at Itoku Market, the Adire Mall and Olumo Rock, features veteran actors Yemi Solade as The Senator, Tunji Sotimirin as The Alfa and Sam Uche Anyamele as The Pastor. Dr Pure also plays a dual role as The Sheik and lead Hausa rapper.
Ganiu called on the media, radio stations, community DJs and Nigerians to broadcast and share the campaign song to promote its message ahead of the election.
He said the central message of the campaign was simple: “Election go pass. Neighbourhood go remain.”
Meanwhile, Solade and Sotimirin threw their weight behind the initiative, stressing the need to promote peace and responsible citizenship ahead of the 2027 elections.
The actors described Nigeria as a country with global relevance and significant potential, expressing optimism that the campaign would contribute positively to peaceful coexistence and national development.