Police, Abdulsalami Panel Move to Ease 2027 Election Tension

The Nigeria Police Force and the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, have increased efforts to prevent political violence and rising tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development comes as political parties intensify their mobilisation and campaign activities across the country, with several controversial statements and incidents raising concerns about possible intimidation, violence and breaches of electoral rules.

The police are investigating comments allegedly made by Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba; Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Shekwolo; and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District.

Shekwolo recently came under public criticism after a video circulated online showing him warning residents who did not support the All Progressives Congress to leave the council before the 2027 elections.

The controversy was followed by an attack on an Accord Party gathering in Kuje, Abuja. Suspected thugs reportedly disrupted the meeting, chased participants away, destroyed campaign materials and furniture, and injured at least one person.

Fadahunsi also attracted criticism after a video emerged in which he allegedly threatened members of the Accord Party during heightened political tension in Ilesa, Osun State.

The senator made the remarks while speaking to supporters during a protest at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland over reported killings involving APC supporters. His comments came shortly after three people were killed in a shooting in the Imo area of Ilesa, although the circumstances surrounding the incident remained disputed.

Buba was also accused of making threatening remarks against residents who refused to support the APC during the 2027 election.

The incidents have raised fresh concerns about the possible use of threats and violence to influence voters as political activities increase.

Opposition parties have accused the APC-led government of creating an atmosphere capable of increasing political tension. The Peoples Democratic Party said the alleged threats were designed to intimidate voters and discourage them from participating in the election.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the incidents should not be treated as isolated events. He alleged that the ruling party was concerned about the possibility of losing a free and credible election and was therefore using intimidation to discourage voters.

The National Democratic Congress also accused the government and some political actors of using actions and statements capable of weakening democratic participation. Its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, called on security agencies and the international community to protect the electoral process.

Director urged Nigerians not to be intimidated and encouraged voters to participate in the 2027 elections and freely exercise their voting rights.

The Action Democratic Party National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, also warned political actors against conduct that could create disorder during the election period. He noted that while the ruling party had the advantage of incumbency, actions perceived as threatening could provoke negative reactions from opposition groups.

The APC, however, rejected the accusations that it was preparing to cause violence or recruiting people to create chaos.

The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the allegations were not supported by evidence. He argued that the APC, being the ruling party, had no reason to deliberately create anarchy because such a situation could undermine the government’s control and political interests.

Ibrahim also questioned the identity of some people making allegations against the party, saying some individuals could be presenting themselves as APC members in an attempt to damage its reputation.

Meanwhile, the National Peace Committee has begun monitoring political activities and possible violations of the peace agreement signed by political parties and other stakeholders.

The Head of Secretariat of the committee, Fr. Atta Barkindo, disclosed that the organisation had established a situation room and an Electoral Offences Tracking System to monitor breaches of the Peace Accord, electoral laws and other regulations.

The system is being used to document both violent and non-violent incidents involving political parties, candidates, supporters, spokespersons and other stakeholders.

Barkindo said the committee had also documented statements made by presidential candidates at the recently concluded Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association. The material would be forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission and the police for possible action.

He explained that the Peace Committee does not have the constitutional authority to prosecute or punish offenders, making it necessary to refer suspected violations to the relevant government institutions.

The committee is also pushing for the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission by the National Assembly to strengthen the handling of electoral violations.

The Peace Committee has further called for more issue-based campaigns, saying political discussions should focus on matters affecting Nigerians, including economic policies and other national challenges.

INEC, on its part, said political parties and other stakeholders were expected to follow campaign rules and electoral guidelines. A senior commission official said matters involving alleged inciting statements were primarily security issues and should be handled by the appropriate agencies.

The police have also confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the statements attributed to Fadahunsi, Shekwolo and Buba.

The Force spokesman, Ani Iniedu, said inciting statements relating to elections could constitute a criminal offence and that the police would investigate such matters regardless of the political status of those involved.

He disclosed that Fadahunsi had been questioned over the alleged threat against Accord Party members, while investigations into the other controversial statements were also continuing.

The police said the findings of the investigations would be made public and warned political actors to avoid statements capable of provoking violence.

In addition, the Force said 154 people arrested during the August 15 Osun State governorship election remained under investigation. The police appealed to members of the public who witnessed incidents or possessed relevant evidence to come forward and assist investigators.

The Force said the reluctance of witnesses to provide evidence had made it difficult to successfully prosecute some cases.

Beyond the actions of the police and the National Peace Committee, the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development’s Council of the Wise has also urged presidential candidates to avoid hate speech, inflammatory statements and violence during the 2027 campaign.

The council, chaired by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, made the call during an engagement with Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, in Abuja.

Ariwoola warned that Nigeria’s past elections had been affected by violence, vote-buying, rigging, hate speech and other forms of malpractice. He urged candidates and their supporters to comply with electoral laws and promote campaigns based on policies and issues.

Duke assured the council that he and the PRP would conduct their campaigns within the law and would not resort to violence, even when faced with challenges during the electoral process.

The former Cross River governor also blamed unemployment, economic hardship and other social problems for the growing attraction to politics, arguing that many Nigerians now see political office as a source of livelihood rather than an avenue for public service.

With political activities already increasing ahead of the 2027 polls, security agencies, peace-building organisations and political groups are now under pressure to prevent inflammatory rhetoric and election-related violence from escalating.