2027: Let campaigns be free of violence, intimidation - The Guardian Nigeria News
As political campaigns for the 2027 general elections roll out, it is regrettable that violence and a high degree of intolerance may mar the process. Across the country, reports show candidates’ and parties’ posters being defaced and destroyed. A Ward meeting of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at Ihuani Awkunanaw in Obuoffia, Nkanu West Council of Enugu State, was disrupted by gunmen on September 12, 2026. At least eight people were injured, and property was destroyed.
The use of violence in political campaigns is contrary to the principles of civilised engagement. We insist that if we want democracy, we must allow the principles of free and fair participation to characterise the process. Politicians and their followers must eschew violence and accommodate one another, as enshrined in the peace accord they signed on August 18, 2026.
The peace accord was strategically signed ahead of the campaigns. The National Peace Committee (NPC) convened it, with former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah Centre hosting. At the ceremony, candidates agreed to run peaceful, issue-based campaigns. They pledged to avoid violence, hate speech, misinformation, personal attacks, and actions that threaten the electoral process.
The electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), used the occasion to admonish candidates to focus on constructive, solution-driven campaigns, detailing how they hope to revive the economy, tackle insecurity and other challenges, instead of attacking one another. We are aware that not all 18 presidential candidates attended the peace accord event. But the message is very clear: violence and democratic governance are incompatible. Democracy provides a marketplace for ideas to thrive. Let the superior argument win. We urge all peddlers of hate speech and violence to stop. We call on politicians on all sides to abide by the rules. We caution all parties regarding the confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the All Progressives Governors’ Forum, led by the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma.
There are strict guidelines on how political parties operate in the country. Where there are opportunities for cooperation among parties, the rules must be adhered to. Any unwholesome cross-party relationship that will heat the polity is not welcome. We view the appellation known as Rainbow Coalition as alien to the Electoral Act 2026 and a recipe for crisis. Wike and Uzodimma do not belong to the same political party. We do not see a reason for their paths to cross. We call on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to set the record straight and allow peace to reign.
We frown on attacks and intimidation of opposition parties in states. The candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, was barred from entering Benue State after he arrived at Makurdi Airport, on his way to Yelwata, to commiserate with the victims of last year’s terror attacks in that community. Obi was waylaid by political thugs alleged to be working for Governor Hyacinth Alia. Alia had earlier declared that Peter Obi was not welcome in Benue State. We recall a similar declaration by the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebolo, when he ordered that Peter Obi could not visit Edo State without his permission.
As governor and chief security officer of a state, and having sworn an oath to protect life and property within the state, the obligation covers everybody, including opposition politicians. That responsibility cannot be applied selectively. Similarly, the opposition is equally obligated to play by the rules.
We denounce all forms of threats and attacks targeting political campaigns and campaign materials. All sides must play by the rules. All citizens are permitted by the Constitution to engage in lawful activities wherever they may be. In an electioneering season, political activities are permitted to take place in all states of the federation. And it should be without let or hindrance.
It is unlawful for anyone to erect obstacles against the free movement of any political campaign. The political undertone in the Benue episode is not hard to situate. But we call on all sides to demonstrate mutual respect and courtesies during campaigns. We recall the historic mantra of “politics without bitterness” espoused by erstwhile Second Republic presidential candidate of the Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP), Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri. That has remained evergreen. We recommend it to present-day politicians.
President Bola Tinubu should admonish members of his party. With 31 states under its control and being the ruling party at the centre, it is incumbent on the Federal Government to set the tone for peace, just as Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of NDC, had similarly charged. For a ruling party with an intimidating spread, there is the temptation to misapply state institutions for undue advantage, particularly law enforcement agencies. In time past, history recorded the harassment and intimidation of political opponents by ruling parties. Such misrule did not deepen democracy. Rather, it invited anarchy and devastating consequences for the country. We cannot go back to those dark days.
Purveyors of violence are reminded that the country is not short of statutes that prohibit hate speech, incitement, and public disorder. The Electoral Act 2026 has sanctions against campaign violence and other electoral offences. We challenge INEC to prosecute offenders and demonstrate that violators of the law cannot go scot-free.
Under Section 96 of the Electoral Act, the use of hate speech, abusive language or incitement to violence carries severe penalties for both candidates and political parties, with a fine of N5 million or up to 12 months’ imprisonment. Parties may be fined up to N10 million.
We particularly charge the police not to abdicate their constitutional responsibility to secure all citizens irrespective of political affiliation.
