Africa
2027 Is Around the Corner — Must Nigeria Fear Electoral Violence Again? -By Collins Faida Ezra
As 2027 approaches, Nigeria must make a choice. Political leaders must commit publicly to peaceful campaigns. Security agencies must act professionally and impartially. Electoral bodies must remain transparent and credible. And citizens must reject violence, no matter who provokes it.
As Nigeria moves steadily toward the 2027 general elections, one uncomfortable question hangs in the air: have we truly learned from our past, or are we preparing to repeat it?
Elections are supposed to strengthen democracy. They are meant to give citizens a voice and allow leadership to change peacefully. Yet in Nigeria and in many other democracies, elections sometimes bring tension, fear, and in some cases, bloodshed.
We cannot pretend we have forgotten what electoral violence looks like. After the 2011 Nigerian presidential election, post-election violence broke out in parts of the country, leading to tragic loss of lives and destruction of property. That painful chapter remains a warning.
Globally, the lesson is the same. The aftermath of the 2020 United States presidential election, which led to the January 6 United States Capitol attack, proved that even long-standing democracies are not immune to election-related unrest.
So, what fuels electoral violence?
First, dangerous political rhetoric. When politicians frame elections as a “do-or-die affair,” supporters take that language seriously. Words matter. Leaders who speak carelessly can ignite tension faster than they realize.
Second, misinformation spreads like wildfire. In the age of social media, false claims of rigging or manipulation can travel across the country within minutes. By the time the truth arrives, emotions may already be inflamed.
Third, economic hardship plays a role. A frustrated and unemployed youth population can easily be mobilized by politicians willing to exploit their struggles.
But perhaps the greatest danger is distrust. When citizens lose faith in electoral institutions, every result becomes suspicious, and every announcement becomes controversial.
As 2027 approaches, Nigeria must make a choice. Political leaders must commit publicly to peaceful campaigns. Security agencies must act professionally and impartially. Electoral bodies must remain transparent and credible. And citizens must reject violence, no matter who provokes it.
Democracy is not tested when the winner celebrates. It is tested when the loser accepts defeat. If Nigeria truly wants progress, then the 2027 elections must not be remembered for tension, but for maturity. The time to prepare for peaceful elections is not after violence breaks out — it is now.
