2027: Concerns Grow Over Threats By APC Leaders Against Opposition

Concerns are growing over statements attributed to some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The concerns follow remarks by some APC governors, commissioners and local government officials that opposition figures and supporters say could be interpreted as threats or attempts to discourage Nigerians from supporting rival parties.

The incidents have been reported in parts of the North-East, the Federal Capital Territory, Osun and Ebonyi states, with opposition groups and civil society organisations calling for greater attention from security agencies.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections are fixed for February 6. Campaigning for the presidential and National Assembly elections began on August 19.

One of the incidents occurred in Maiduguri, where Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, made remarks during a political gathering organised by the City Boy Movement, a group supporting President Bola Tinubu.

Buba was reported to have warned people against opposing the APC and used language referring to the breaking or cutting of fingers. He also linked access to government welfare packages with support for the administration.

The comments attracted criticism from Amnesty International Nigeria, which called for an investigation. Buba later said his remarks had been taken out of context.

In the Federal Capital Territory, Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo also came under criticism after a video circulated in August showing him telling residents that they should either support the APC or leave the area.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) condemned the remarks and called for an investigation by the relevant authorities. It also urged the police, Department of State Services and INEC to take steps to protect residents from intimidation, profiling and possible disenfranchisement.

Similar concerns have been raised in Ebonyi State over comments attributed to Governor Francis Nwifuru. A civil society group, the Ebonyi Political Think-Tank, previously accused the governor of making threatening remarks towards the opposition’s governorship candidate and reported the matter to security agencies.

More recently, Nwifuru, while addressing newly sworn-in local government chairmen, reportedly said no political seat would be surrendered to the opposition and that opposition activities would not be tolerated.

The developments have revived concerns about political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly given Nigeria’s history of electoral violence.

During the 2023 general elections, several people were killed in election-related violence, according to compiled media and police reports. Victims included voters, political supporters, police officers and electoral personnel. Labour Party senatorial candidate for Enugu East, Oyibo Chukwu, was also killed days before the presidential election.

Election monitoring groups had previously documented attacks against candidates, supporters and electoral officials during the build-up to the 2023 elections.

There have also been cases of violence during off-cycle governorship elections. The 2019 Kogi governorship election was associated with reports of killings, ballot-box snatching and attacks on political supporters, while the 2023 governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa also recorded allegations of vote-buying and pockets of violence.

The political atmosphere in Osun has also remained tense following the recent governorship election, with competing parties making allegations over the conduct of the contest.

Nigeria’s major political parties signed a National Peace Accord on August 18, committing themselves to peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections. Some of the incidents raising concern occurred after the agreement.

The police have opened an inquiry into the remarks attributed to the Borno commissioner, while Senator Fadahunsi was also questioned by the Osun State Police Command over a separate matter. No public outcome had been announced from the processes at the time of the report.

Legal experts have also pointed to provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 dealing with threats and inflammatory campaign language.

Lawyer Marcellus Onah said the law prohibits political parties, candidates, aspirants and other persons from directly or indirectly threatening anyone with force or violence during a political campaign to influence political support.

He also cited provisions against abusive or inflammatory language capable of provoking violent reactions during campaigns.

The lawyer further pointed to the constitutional right of Nigerians to freely associate and belong to political parties, meaning citizens are legally entitled to make political choices without being subjected to punishment or threats because of their affiliations.

With the presidential campaign expected to become more intense in the coming months, the statements attributed to political actors have increased calls for security agencies to respond to threats and ensure that citizens can participate in the electoral process without intimidation.

The developments in Borno, Kuje, Ebonyi, Osun and other areas have therefore placed greater attention on the conduct of political actors and the ability of relevant authorities to enforce electoral laws as the country moves towards the 2027 elections.