SPECIAL REPORT: 2027 polls and rising tide of violence, hate speech

On Thursday, 12 November, thugs attacked supporters of the opposition Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a town hall meeting in Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos State, leaving several people injured and propertiesr destroyed, including vehicles belonging to party members.

The hoodlums, armed with cutlasses and stones, invaded the venue of the meeting, disrupted it and chased away the party’s supporters.

Before the attack, many of the supporters, dressed in the party’s colours, were dancing and singing at the gathering. But the disruption triggered panic as party supporters scampered for safety. Police officers later arrived at the scene to restore order and defuse the tension.

Although Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, were not at the venue when the incident occurred, some suggest they were the target of the attack, not necessarily to harm them but to frustrate their campaign efforts.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, is seeking the presidency for the second time. He first ran for the nation’s highest political office in 2023 under the Labour Party, finishing third in the election. In that election, he won Lagos State, a stronghold of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Bola Tinubu, with 582,354 votes.

Earlier in 2019, the former governor had paired with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku has since defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he is running for president in the 2027 election, while Mr Obi left the LP for the ADC and subsequently for the NDC.

Both Messrs Atiku and Obi are among the 18 presidential candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 16 January 2027 election.

Some of the other presidential hopefuls include President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking a second term, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Sandy Onor (PDP), Omoyele Sowore (AAC), former Cross River Governor Donald Duke (PRP), and Adewole Adebayo (SDP).

The commission also cleared governorship candidates for 28 of the nation’s 36 states where governorship elections will be taking place on 6 February 2027. It also approved candidates for the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly elections.

Consequently, in line with the election timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 polls, it mandated the candidates for the elections to commence campaigns.

While the presidential and National Assembly candidates began their campaigns on 19 August, those of the governorship and State Houses of Assembly started a month later.

However, since the campaigns commenced, the nation has witnessed violent attacks launched on campaign rallies, town hall meetings and other political events organised by parties in their quest for the mandate of the people.

In the build-up to the polls, political activities across the country are increasingly being accompanied by reports of violence, intimidation and threats.

Campaign activities associated with presidential candidates and opposition parties have encountered security challenges in different parts of the country, including attacks on convoys, disruptions of political gatherings and confrontations involving party supporters.

In some instances, presidential candidates have alleged that their lives or those of their supporters were endangered. In others, political gatherings have been disrupted, vehicles damaged and participants injured or killed.

On 13 September, unknown gunmen attacked and disrupted a state-wide monthly ward meeting of the NDC in Ihuani Awkunanaw, Enugu State, the hometown of the party’s governorship candidate, Christian Ohaa. At least eight party members were injured, while several party materials, canopies and plastic chairs at the venue were destroyed.

Sampson Ukwu, media aide to the NDC governorship candidate, identified the victims as Onovo Donald Ekene, Ngene Godwin Madueke, Ogbodo Gloria, Onovo Victor, Maduabuchi Ugwu, Nnaemeka Nelson, Chinonso Nwagbara and Obinna Daniel Owo.

On 18 September, suspected political thugs disrupted a mobilisation rally involving supporters of Mr Obi and his running mate, Mr Kwankwaso, in Warri, Delta State.

Esther Umoh, a photographer associated with Mr Obi, alleged that the attackers opened fire on members of the campaign team, including the entourage of the party’s Delta State governorship candidate.

Although the circumstances surrounding the incident were not independently established, the police did not deny that an attack occurred.

The incident raised concerns about the security arrangements for opposition campaign activities and the ability of political candidates to move freely during electioneering.

In a similar incident on 10 October, gunmen invaded an NDC political gathering in Afa, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, killing a young man identified as Ifeanyi Nwolie.

After the incident, Mr Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, pledged financial support to the mother of the slain supporter.

On 30 October, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, alleged that he and members of his team were attacked in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The incident occurred at Tawakalitu Restaurant in the Dalimore area of the capital city, after Mr Sowore had attended an interview at MIDAS FM.

The presidential hopeful alleged that armed men attacked him and members of his team with sticks and machetes. He also reported that communication devices were stolen, vehicle tyres were slashed and other property was damaged.

Mr Sowore further described the incident as an assassination attempt and demanded an independent investigation. But the police characterised the incident as an altercation and announced the arrest of 11 suspects.

The activist cum politician questioned the police’s account and demanded that relevant electronic evidence, including CCTV footage, be preserved.

Nevertheless, the suspects were arraigned on several charges, including conspiracy and assault occasioning harm.

They were granted bail, while the case was adjourned until 4 December.

The disagreement between the candidate and the police over the characterisation of the incident raises concerns about the transparency and credibility of investigations into attacks involving political figures.

While the arrests represent a step in the investigation, the evidence presented in court and the outcome of the proceedings will be important in establishing what happened and who was responsible.

Up North, in Sokoto State, another violent incident was reportedly recorded on 31 October. The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Manir Dan’iya, was attacked near the city’s airport.

The party alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the state Community Guard blocked his convoy, fired gunshots and damaged vehicles.

It also alleged that two State Security Service (SSS) operatives accompanying the candidate were detained during the incident.

But the Sokoto State APC chairman, Haruna Adiya, denied reports of the attack, describing them as fabricated claims intended to discredit the state government run by the party.

According to Mr Adiya, the security deployment was connected to preparations for a traditional title conferment ceremony and was not intended to obstruct the ADC’s political activities.

However, the state police command confirmed it was aware of the incident and that it had initiated investigations. On its part, apart from confirming the attack, the SSS said its operatives evacuated Mr Dan’iya to safety and that two of its personnel were injured while protecting him.

Atiku, the ADC’s presidential candidate, condemned the incident, describing it as troubling.

The incident is particularly significant because it involves allegations against state-linked security personnel. It, therefore, raises questions about the neutrality of security officials during political campaigns and the responsibility of state authorities to protect candidates, regardless of their political affiliations.

On 4 November, Mr Obi’s convoy was attacked around Watt Market Roundabout in Calabar, Cross River State.

The incident occurred as he was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to the Metropolitan Hotel, where a presidential town hall meeting was scheduled to be held.

Suspected hoodlums reportedly attacked vehicles in the convoy with sticks and machetes, smashing some of their windscreens.

According to reports, the attackers emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley areas, damaging the windscreens of vehicles in the convoy.

The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident and announced the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect, Victor Duke.

The police, however, cautioned that the arrest did not establish the suspect’s guilt, adding that investigations were ongoing.

Mr Obi accused APC supporters of being responsible for the attack. However, the police said it had not established the political affiliations of the attackers or whether any political organisation sponsored them.

A separate confrontation also occurred between supporters of the NDC and APC near the Metropolitan Hotel in the city. The police described the incident as an encounter between two groups whose routes converged but had not established whether the confrontation was connected to the convoy attack.

On 7 November, a political procession organised by supporters of the NDC and the Obidient Movement along Nnebisi Road in Asaba, Delta State, turned violent, leaving one person dead and five others injured.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed the attack, saying it had earlier warned the party and the Obidient Movement against holding an open-road rally after receiving intelligence suggesting a likelihood of violence during the procession.

The police said they advised the organisers to hold the rally at a designated venue instead. However, the organisers reportedly rejected the advice and proceeded with the procession, which later turned violent. The command subsequently criticised the party and the movement for disregarding its warning.

On 11 November, armed thugs attacked the campaign convoy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Isa Pantami, along Jekadafari Road in Gombe town.

The attackers barricaded the highway with tyres, set them ablaze and smashed the windscreens of several vehicles in the convoy, bringing traffic along the road to a standstill.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International condemned the attack, saying its preliminary findings suggested that the suspected attackers were working for the ruling APC. The allegation, however, has not been independently established.

The National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, recently reported 109 breaches of the National Peace Accord across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory during a monitoring period covering 19 August to 27 October.

The report identified political violence and thuggery as the largest category of violations, accounting for 33 incidents.

Separately, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (ACLED), an organisation that monitors political violence and conflict, reported more than 30 attacks targeting political campaigns, candidates, supporters, convoys and gatherings since the presidential and National Assembly campaigns began on 19 August.

According to ACLED, the incidents resulted in more than 10 deaths and several injuries.

On its part, the African Centre for Security, Governance and Development (CentreSGD) reported 70 physical election-related attacks across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory between 1 January and 27 October 2026. It said 27 people were killed in 20 of the incidents.

Beyond physical attacks, statements attributed to some political officeholders and party officials have heightened concerns about the atmosphere in which Nigerians will be expected to exercise their democratic rights.

Some politicians have thrown caution to the wind by expressing divisive sentiments that force people to ponder if politics and governance is not about service.

For instance, in Edo State, the Chairman of the ruling APC, Jarrett Tenebe, was quoted as invoking ‘AK-47 fire’ against anyone who might obstruct the party’s plan to secure 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027.

In the Federal Capital Territory, the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Shekwolo, was seen in a viral video in August telling residents that they must support the APC or leave the area.

Similarly, in Borno State, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, was seen in another viral video threatening that people who refused to support the APC in the 2027 elections would be flogged. He made the statement during a campaign inauguration organised by the Tinubu City Boy Movement, a political support group campaigning for Mr Tinubu’s re-election, in Maiduguri.

Although the commissioner later apologised, the incident illustrates the blurred line between political mobilisation and the coercion of citizens by public officials.

The threats came on the heels of the controversial one by the senator for Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, before the state off-cycle governorship election in August.

Mr Fadahunsi, a member of the APC, was heard in a viral video threatening members of the opposition Accord Party.

He subsequently clarified that his statement referred to defeating the opposition politically, not physically killing its members.

Also, in Edo State, the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Blessing Ebhodaghe, was reported to have directed commercial drivers to wear APC caps or risk being removed from motor parks.

Global Rights also documented a threat by the chairman of Ibi Local Government Area in Taraba State, an APC member, against civil servants who might vote for candidates other than his preferred choice.

These incidents are occurring against a backdrop of concerns among election observers about the security of political campaigns and the possibility that intimidation could undermine citizens’ participation in the electoral process.

They also raise concerns about whether political parties can campaign freely across the country, whether security agencies are adequately protecting political actors and whether Nigerians can support candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation.

The responses of security agencies to the reported incidents will be central to determining whether the government is adequately protecting political activities and holding perpetrators accountable.

In Calabar, where Mr Obi’s convoy was attacked, the police announced an arrest and said investigations were continuing.

The police arrested 11 suspects in Ekiti following Mr Sowore’s allegation. However, the AAC candidate questioned the police’s account and called for an independent investigation.

In Sokoto, the SSS said its operatives protected the ADC governorship candidate and that two SSS officials were injured in the attack. The police also confirmed that they were investigating the incident.

In Delta, where the Asaba violence left one person dead and five others injured, the police said they were investigating the clash.

These responses indicate that security agencies have taken some investigative steps. However, arrests and announcements of investigations do not necessarily translate into accountability.

Nigeria’s electoral legal framework prohibits the use of violence and threats to compel citizens to support or reject a political party or candidate.

Section 97(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 prohibits a political party, candidate, aspirant or individual from directly or indirectly threatening anyone with force or violence to compel or prevent political support.

The provision is particularly relevant to threats against citizens over their political affiliations and voting preferences.

Global Rights has also drawn attention to this provision in its monitoring of the 2027 electoral environment.

Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to assemble freely and associate with other persons, including forming or belonging to political parties. Section 39 protects freedom of expression, while Section 14(2)(b) identifies the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.

The rising cases of attacks and hate speech have attracted condemnations from groups and individuals who fear that they could jeopardise the nation’s democratic journey.

The Presidential Campaign Council of the APC, the party whose supporters have been accused of being behind some of the attacks, has condemned the spate of violence targeting political gatherings across the country.

In a recent statement issued by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council urged security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attacks on political gatherings, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Nigerian lawmakers are equally worried about the spate of violence. Last Thursday, the House of Representatives resolved to investigate the incidents of violence during political campaign activities across Nigeria, following reports of attacks, injuries, deaths and disruption of political gatherings in several states.

President Tinubu has also expressed worries over the rising incidents of violence. In a statement issued by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, the president warned politicians and their supporters against violence, saying his administration would not tolerate conduct capable of undermining public order during the electioneering period.

“As the leader of this country, I commit myself to a peaceful, free, and fair election, and I urge political leaders and supporters across party lines to conduct themselves responsibly.

“I have said that being in different political parties or pursuing different ambitions does not make us enemies,” he said.

President Tinubu gave a marching order to the security agencies to clamp down on thugs and other anti-democratic activities.

“Security agencies are therefore authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force,” he stated.

But Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, says the government must go beyond arresting suspected political thugs and hold accountable those who recruit, finance and arm them.

“I am suggesting that INEC should have a prosecution unit with a view to getting reports from the police and other security agencies about electoral offences and then take them to court,” he said.

He also criticised the National Assembly for failing to implement the recommendation for an Electoral Offences Commission, arguing that the absence of an effective prosecution mechanism had allowed politicians involved in electoral violence to escape accountability.

Speaking on the issues, the President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Ifeanyi Odili, recommended that security authorities establish who organised the attacks, whether political actors were involved, whether weapons were used, and whether anyone provided financial or logistical support.

Mr Odili also argued that investigations should examine whether adequate security arrangements were made for political gatherings and whether warnings issued by security agencies were acted upon appropriately.

Kazeem Odekunle, the spokesperson for the Campaign for Peace, a non-governmental organisation promoting peaceful coexistence among political parties, said political parties had a major responsibility to ensure their supporters did not resort to violence or intimidation.

“Political parties also have a responsibility to ensure that their supporters do not resort to violence or intimidation. The APC, as the ruling party, should explain what measures it has taken to address threats attributed to its officials and members.