2027 Elections: Threats, Intimidation Raise Fresh Alarm Over Possible Political Violence

The political atmosphere ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections is becoming increasingly tense, with a number of political office holders accused of threatening voters, opponents and residents over their political choices.

The concerns intensified after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally signalled the commencement of political campaigns for next year’s elections.

Across Osun, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Borno, Kebbi and Ebonyi states, statements attributed to serving senators, commissioners, council chairmen and governors have generated widespread criticism from opposition parties, civil society organisations and human rights groups.

Critics fear that the increasingly aggressive rhetoric could deepen political tension and contribute to election-related violence.

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Yobe APC chairman apologises over divorce remark

One of the most controversial incidents occurred in Yobe State, where APC chairman Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka told married women to consider divorcing husbands who prevented them from voting for the APC.

Gadaka made the statement in Nangere while speaking to hundreds of people who had recently defected to the APC.

He reportedly promised to personally pay the “new bride price” for any woman who ended her marriage because of her political loyalty.

The comment generated widespread anger, including from Islamic scholars who described it as reckless and damaging to family values.

Gadaka subsequently released a 42-second video on the Facebook page of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s Director General, Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, where he withdrew the remark.

“My statement was just a usual joking banter and does not in any way represent the ideals I stand for or intended to encourage divorce among married people,” he said.

He added: “I offer apologies for my statement, and I hereby withdraw it.”

Osun senator’s ‘kill them’ comment sparks uproar

In Osun State, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, faced backlash over comments made during an APC rally at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland in Ilesa.

Fadahunsi alleged that members of his party had been killed by Accord Party members.

In a video circulating online, he was heard speaking in Yoruba and saying: “Until the day of election, when you see any Accord party member here in Ilesa, kill them.”

He further told supporters: “If we hear of the Accord Party again in Ilesa here for the election coming up on Saturday, you can record me and say it anywhere.”

His media office subsequently issued a statement titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” arguing that he meant APC supporters should defeat the Accord Party electorally and that the video had been selectively edited.

Governor Ademola Adeleke dismissed the explanation, describing the statement as a national security threat and demanding Fadahunsi’s arrest.

The senator has since been questioned by the police as part of an investigation.

Kuje chairman tells residents to support APC or leave

Political tension also surfaced in the FCT, where Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo warned residents that they should either support the APC or leave the area council.

“Either you are for the APC or you leave the area council,” he said in a video.

Shekwolo connected his stance to development projects attributed to President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Amnesty International Nigeria described the statement as a “call to violence” and said no public official had the right to make residency conditional on political affiliation.

The rights organisation called on security agencies to intervene and prevent violence against residents because of their political choices.

Borno commissioner threatens anti-APC supporters

In Borno State, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Sainna Buba reportedly threatened that people who refused to support the APC in 2027 “will be flogged.”

He also warned that anyone who crossed the ruling party would have a finger broken.

The remarks were made at a campaign inauguration organised by the Tinubu City Boy Movement in Maiduguri.

Both the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Amnesty International condemned the comments.

Amnesty International said politicians were already “overheating the polity” ahead of the election and creating an environment of fear.

The organisation urged political parties to condemn statements capable of encouraging hostility or violence.

Kebbi council boss threatens governor’s critics

In Kebbi State, Gwandu Local Government Chairman Alhaji Atiku Ahmad Mandiya told supporters in a video that anyone who spoke against Governor Nasir Idris “should be dealt with.”

Mandiya also promised to secure the release of any supporter arrested for confronting the governor’s opponents.

He urged APC supporters to position at least one person at every polling unit to protect the party’s interests during the 2027 elections.

The directive has raised concerns among observers over possible voter intimidation during the polls.

Ebonyi governor threatens to remove council chairmen

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has also come under criticism over his directive to newly inaugurated local government chairmen.

Nwifuru warned that any chairman who failed to deliver his council to the APC in the 2027 election would be removed.

Reacting to allegations that APC members were harassing political critics, the governor said: “They will see real threat at the right time.”

He later told the chairmen and their deputies during their inauguration at the Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki:

“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councillor. I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we will not speak in secret.”

The newly inaugurated Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Eze Paul Ituma, has pledged to carry out the directive and warned residents who refuse to align with the APC to steer clear of the council.

Security reports heighten concerns

The series of threats has raised concerns against the backdrop of documented electoral violence.

The International Republican Institute (IRI), in its assessment of Nigeria’s democratic environment ahead of the elections, reported that civil society monitors documented more than 81 election-related violent incidents in Osun State during the year preceding the August governorship election.

Violence reportedly increased as the election date drew closer.

The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), in its Pre-Election Security Risk Assessment, also recorded 73 election-related violent incidents that led to 29 deaths ahead of local elections in Osun, with Osogbo identified as the state’s main hotspot.

The developments have fuelled fears that political tensions could escalate further ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amnesty International maintained that Nigerians have a constitutional and legal right to make their political choices freely.

“People’s right to make political choices is protected by Nigeria’s constitution, the Electoral Act and international law,” the organisation stated.

It further warned:

“Political parties and politicians must publicly condemn any advocacy of hatred or incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.”

Nigerians demand action

Chima Okonkwo, a trader in Abuja, said the comments by political leaders demonstrated increasing desperation.

“What we are seeing from these politicians is pure desperation. They are no longer asking for our votes; they are telling us that our lives don’t matter if we disagree with them. When a governor publicly threatens local council chairmen and a commissioner promises to break people’s fingers, it shows democracy is turning into a dictatorship,” he said.

Aisha Bello, a civil servant, said the situation was frightening and urged security agencies to act.

“It is terrifying to live in a country where a local council chairman can threaten to drive citizens out of their homes just because they belong to another political party. Kuje belongs to all Nigerians, not to APC or PDP. The security agencies must step in before these leaders raise private militias for 2027,” she said.

Human rights advocate Babatunde Adeleke warned that failure to respond to inflammatory political statements could have serious consequences.

“The rhetoric coming out of Osun, Kebbi, and Borno is a direct call to anarchy. When leaders tell supporters to deal with critics and promise to bail them out of police custody, they are officially sanctioning criminality. If the Inspector General of Police does not make high-profile arrests now, 2027 will not be an election; it will be a war zone,” Adeleke said.

Samuel Oyadongha; Olasunkanmi Akoni; Rotimi Ojomoyela; Egufe Yafugborhi; Shina Abubakar; James Ogunnnaike; Steve Oko; Ozioruva Aliu; Daniel Abia; Emem Idio & Adeola Badru.