2027: Peace Accord under threat as 26 states, FCT record 109 violations – NPC

…political violence, fake news dominate breaches as Kaduna, Edo, Enugu emerge flashpoints …gunmen disrupt opposition gatherings, threats of AK-47 attacks, religious intolerance raise fears By Joseph Erunke, Abuja The National Peace Accord signed by political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections is facing an early test, with 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory recording 109 violations in just 10 weeks, raising fears of escalating political violence, intimidation and misinformation as campaigns gather momentum.

The National Peace Committee (NPC), in its latest monitoring report covering August 19 to October 27, warned that recurring armed disruptions of political activities, threats by political officeholders and the growing spread of fake political information could undermine peaceful campaigns and threaten the credibility of the 2027 elections. The report identified political violence and thuggery as the leading violations, accounting for 33 incidents, while misinformation and disinformation followed closely with 29 cases.

Attacks on political activities and campaign materials accounted for another 19 incidents, while intimidation and threats recorded 15 cases. Kaduna emerged as the state with the highest number of reported violations, recording nine incidents, while Edo, Enugu and the FCT recorded seven each. The committee specifically identified Enugu, Oyo, Edo and Cross River as areas requiring urgent attention over recurring armed disruptions, while Benue and Kogi were flagged over security risks surrounding political convoys and movements.

The development comes barely three months after 19 political parties signed the National Peace Accord in Abuja on August 18, committing themselves to peaceful, issue-based campaigns and rejecting violence, threats and intimidation ahead of the elections. Under the electoral timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.

Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections commenced on August 19, while those for governorship and State Assembly polls began on September 9. According to the NPC report, the 109 violations recorded within the monitoring period translated to an average of about 11 incidents weekly, with the four leading categories accounting for 96 cases, representing 88 per cent of the total.

It stated, “33 incidents of political violence and thuggery, representing 30.3 per cent of the total, while 29 cases of misinformation and disinformation accounted for 26.6 per cent. “Attacks on political activities and campaign assets accounted for 19 incidents, representing 17.4 per cent, while intimidation and threats recorded 15 cases, or 13.8 per cent.” The remaining violations comprised seven incidents involving restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, four inflammatory statements, one intra-party conflict and one case of voter inducement.

Significantly, the committee disclosed that 57 incidents, representing 52 per cent of the total, did not involve physical attacks, underscoring the growing threat posed by intimidation, misinformation and other non-violent tactics capable of influencing electoral choices. It warned that threats, false information, restrictions on expression, divisive rhetoric and voter inducement could undermine citizens’ freedom to make independent political choices even before election day.

Among the incidents highlighted by the committee was the September 8 obstruction of the convoy of former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi near Makurdi, Benue State. In Enugu State, the report documented repeated armed disruptions of NDC and Peoples Democratic Party gatherings and party premises between September and October.

It also cited the October 2 disruption of PDP consultations by gunmen in Calabar South, Cross River State, as well as the reported shooting of an African Democratic Congress supporter during political engagements in Igueben, Edo State, on October 6. In Oyo State, violence during a political procession in Ibadan between October 14 and 17 reportedly claimed one life, while an APC ward member was also allegedly killed days later.

The committee noted that allegations linking a council official to the violence were denied. It said the incidents occurred across different political environments, including social media platforms, rallies, meetings, processions, party offices, campaign materials, public speeches, administrative actions and encounters with security agencies. Beyond physical violence, the committee expressed concern over 15 incidents of intimidation and threats involving political office-holders and party officials across the country.

It cited incidents in Edo, Taraba, the FCT and Ebonyi, including an alleged threat by an APC state chairman to unlea