2027: Violence threatening polls – ‘Tinubu must come’, ‘Tinubu must go’ supporters clash

*Parties lament raging danger to members’ lives *From Lagos to Enugu, Edo, Rivers, Kogi, Adamawa, meetings, rallies under attack *Opposition alleges killings, gunfire, assaults, destruction of party offices *INEC activates early-warning mechanism; reputation experts warn of investment losses *2023 election violence haunts preparations for next polls By Clifford Ndujihe & John Alechenu WITH the 2027 general elections approaching, political violence, threats and hate speech are raising fresh concerns about the safety of politicians, party members and voters, as rival camps increasingly accuse one another of using intimidation to gain electoral advantage.

Read Also: *2027: Outrage over Borno commissioner’s threat to flog non-APC supporters *2027: Violence looms as politicians threaten voters, opponents across nation *Amnesty seeks action over Edo APC chairman’s AK-47 threat From Lagos to Enugu, Edo, Rivers, Kogi, Cross River, Adamawa and other parts of the country, political parties have reported attacks on meetings, rallies, campaign facilities and supporters, while allegations of threats against political opponents have intensified the atmosphere of apprehension ahead of the polls.

In Lagos, more than 100 suspected hoodlums reportedly invaded the Labour Party,LP, secretariat at Idimu, Alimosho LGA, during a defection ceremony involving members moving to the African Democratic Congress, ADC. Furniture and party flags were destroyed, while members sustained injuries. When the gathering relocated to Eco Centre Hall in Egbeda, it was reportedly attacked again.

In Enugu, gunmen allegedly disrupted political gatherings, while opposition parties in Kogi said attacks on ward meetings left members hospitalised. In Rivers, the ADC reported the killing of a member preparing for a political meeting. In Cross River, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alleged that gunmen attacked two consultation venues, injuring three people.

The violence has also touched gatherings associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. In May, violence reportedly erupted during the party’s House of Assembly primary in Kosofe, Lagos, while vehicles belonging to PDP members were vandalised at a candidate affirmation event in Bauchi. In Adamawa, supporters of President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition, associated with the slogan “Tinubu Must Come”, reportedly clashed with members of the opposing “Tinubu Must Go” movement during a rally in the Jimeta axis of Yola.

The incidents, spanning different parties and regions, raise questions about the capacity of security agencies to protect political activities, investigate attacks impartially and prevent local disputes from escalating into wider violence. The concerns extend beyond party leaders. Lawyers, journalists, civil society groups, traditional rulers and election officials have warned that intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Pattern of attacks across states At a press conference in Abuja on September 22, the ADC said it had documented attacks and intimidation involving its members in at least nine states between July 2025 and September 2026: Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, cited attacks on party gatherings, assaults on members and threats allegedly directed at opposition politicians.

In February, according to the ADC, the party’s secretariat in Benin City, Edo State, was attacked during a political gathering. Gunfire was also reportedly heard at the residence of former Edo State governor and former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, where political leaders had assembled. The Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident and ordered an investigation.

The ADC complained that no arrests, prosecutions or public report had followed at the time of its statement. In Rivers State, the party alleged that a member identified as Kamadiyoi was killed in Community Ward 1, Abua/Odual Local Government Area, while preparing for a meeting. In Enugu State, an opposition gathering was reportedly disrupted by armed men, with police confirming that a man sustained a gunshot injury.

The state government disputed claims that a life had been lost in the incident. The ADC also cited the disruption of an NDC gathering at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, where supporters had assembled to receive their governorship candidate. The government said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s permission had not been obtained for the gathering.

The Enugu chapter of the ADC, through the Obodoeze Media Project, described the reported use of firearms in a political environment as a serious threat to public safety and demanded a thorough, impartial investigation. Three opposition governorship candidates in the state — Uche Nnaji of the PDP, Christian Ohaa of the NDC and Ozor Obodoeze Ocho of the ADC — jointly demanded an independent inv