By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Nigeria Police Force and the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, have intensified efforts to prevent political violence and inflammatory rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The moves followed a series of controversial statements and incidents that have raised concerns about growing political tension as parties step up mobilisation for the elections.
The police are investigating remarks 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, representing Osun East Senatorial District.
The development came after Shekwolo was captured in a viral video warning residents opposed to the All Progressives Congress to leave the council ahead of the 2027 elections.
Days later, suspected thugs reportedly attacked an Accord Party political gathering in Kuje, Abuja, leaving at least one person injured and damaging campaign materials and furniture.
Fadahunsi also came under scrutiny after a video surfaced showing him making comments interpreted as a threat against members of the Accord Party in Ilesa, Osun State.
The senator was speaking to supporters during a protest at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland over reported killings involving APC supporters.
Buba, meanwhile, was accused of threatening residents who refused to support the APC in the 2027 election.
The incidents have heightened fears that political threats, intimidation and violence could undermine the electoral process.
Opposition accuses APC
Opposition parties have accused the ruling APC of creating an atmosphere of fear ahead of the election.
The Peoples Democratic Party National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, alleged that the ruling party was concerned that a free and credible election could produce an outcome unfavourable to it.
Ememobong argued that the alleged threats were aimed at discouraging voters from participating in the electoral process
The National Democratic Congress also accused the government of actions and statements capable of increasing political tension, while calling on security agencies and the international community to protect the democratic process.
The Action Democratic Party National Chairman, Yabagi Sani, similarly warned political actors against actions capable of causing disorder and threatening lives and property.
The APC rejected the allegations, saying there was no evidence that the party was planning or encouraging violence.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, challenged those making the allegations to provide proof.
Ibrahim argued that it would make little sense for a ruling party seeking to retain power to deliberately create anarchy that could undermine the political system.
He also questioned whether some individuals making allegations against the APC were genuine members of the party.
Peace Committee activates monitoring system.
Meanwhile, the National Peace Committee has activated a situation room and an Electoral Offences Tracking System to monitor political activities ahead of the elections.
The Head of Secretariat of the committee, Fr. Atta Barkindo, said the system would track violations of the Peace Accord, electoral laws and other regulations by political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders.
He said the committee was documenting both violent and non-violent incidents and would forward relevant information to the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Barkindo stressed that the committee lacked constitutional powers to prosecute or sanction offenders.
He also disclosed that the committee was advocating the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission by the National Assembly.
The committee urged the media to promote issue-based campaigns, with matters such as fuel subsidy reforms and border policies taking centre stage instead of inflammatory rhetoric.
Police investigate 154 Osun election arrests
The police also confirmed that 154 persons arrested during the August 15 Osun State governorship election remained under investigation.
Force spokesman, Ani Iniedu, said the police had questioned Fadahunsi over his alleged comments against Accord Party members.
He said inciting members of the public, particularly in connection with elections, was a criminal offence.
According to him, all the controversial statements identified by the police are being investigated, with the outcomes expected to be made public.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide evidence and cooperate with investigators, noting that the reluctance of witnesses to come forward could affect prosecution.
Council of Wise warns candidates
Separately, the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development’s Council of the Wise, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, urged presidential candidates to avoid hate speech, inflammatory comments and violence.
The council gave the warning during an engagement with the Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, in Abuja.
Ariwoola said Nigeria’s elections since 1999 had been affected by violence, hate speech, vote-buying and other forms of malpractice.
He urged Duke and other presidential candidates to lead by example and promote peaceful, transparent and issue-based campaigns.
Duke assured the council that he and the PRP would obey the law and would not resort to violence, even when faced with challenges.
The former governor, however, said Nigerian politics had increasingly become a “do-or-die affair” because many people now see politics as an occupation rather than a form of public service.
He attributed the growing attraction to politics to unemployment, economic hardship and other social challenges.
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