…As veteran actors Yemi Solade, Tunji Sotimirin play leading roles

A cultural organisation and social enterprise, Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) has officially flag off its 2027 Election Integrity Campaign and launch its musical anthem, aimed to address threatened and escalating political incitement as well as religious hate speech ahead of 2027 general elections.

The Founder/Executive Director of the organisation Ayodele Ganiu unveiled the launch of the project tagged, “No Be War’ on Wednesday at a press conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.

Renowned thespians and entertainers, Yemi Solade and Tunji Sotimirin, threw their weights behind the project, insisting that Nigeria, as a country is relevant globally and blessed, hence, the need to encourage peace to reign, expressing optimism that it will thrive positively.

Ganiu accompanied by other management pointed out that as the nation prepares for the 2027 general elections, national cohesion is severely threatened by escalating political incitement and religious hate speech.

He identified religious leaders which include Christians and Islamic clerics as more responsible for preaching violence and cited number of video clips which attested to this, adding that politicians are not left out

‘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 weaponising religion to divide us’, he emphasized

The Founder explained that the musical anthem became necessary to take back the civic narrative, adding that toxic rhetorics reduce democratic choices to existential battles and turn neighbours against one another.

Ganiu cautioned that Nigerians, particularly electorate should refuse to let such division define their future, emphasizing that through music and narrative storytelling, civic narrative will be restore.

‘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’, Ganiu stated

“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

‘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’.

He explained that officially released campaign single, an audio track titled Your Choice was performed by lead vocalist MOOH alongside rap artists Tijay Webster and Dr Pure.

‘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’.

‘This audio launch sets the stage for our upcoming music video/short film to be premiered this September. Shot on location at Itoku Market, the Adire Mall and Olumo Rock, the production features compelling portrayals by veteran actors Yemi Solade as The Senator, Tunji Sotimirin as The Alfa, Sam Uche Anyamele as The Pastor and Dr Pure in a dual role as The Sheik and lead Hausa rapper.

Ganiu called on the media, radio stations, community DJs and citizens across Nigeria to broadcast and share the track, as a way to spread its core truth to every doorstep: “Election go pass. Neighbourhood go remain.”