With the 2027 general elections approaching, concerns over political violence are growing as reports of attacks, intimidation, disruptions of political meetings and threats against political opponents continue to emerge in different parts of Nigeria.
The developments have revived memories of Nigeria’s troubled electoral history, particularly the violence and political instability associated with the First and Second Republics.
Nigeria’s First Republic ended with a military coup in January 1966 after years of political and regional tensions. The Second Republic, which began in 1979, was also terminated by a military coup in December 1983 following a period marked by intense political disputes and allegations of electoral malpractice and violence.
Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has conducted several general elections, but incidents of political intimidation and electoral violence have remained a recurring concern.
The 2023 elections, for instance, recorded allegations of voter intimidation, attacks and disruptions in some locations.
As preparations for 2027 intensify, recent incidents involving political gatherings have again placed political thuggery at the centre of public discussion.
A Growing Pattern of Political Disruptions
Several incidents have been reported since 2025 involving the disruption of political meetings, rallies and other activities by suspected political thugs.
On August 30, 2025, suspected political thugs reportedly disrupted the inauguration of a transition committee involving opposition political groups in Kaduna State. Participants were allegedly attacked while property and vehicles were vandalised.
A week later, on September 7, 2025, a political gathering organised by the Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was reportedly disrupted by suspected hoodlums.
The event at Lion Field in Alimosho was organised to receive Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and the party’s former Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
The disruption reportedly forced participants to flee the venue, with some people sustaining injuries.
On February 1, 2026, another political defection event in Alimosho, Lagos, was reportedly disrupted by suspected thugs after Labour Party members gathered to join the ADC.
In Ondo State, suspected political thugs reportedly attacked members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s secretariat in Akure on February 17, 2026. The attackers were alleged to have demanded that the party’s Ward Congress should not proceed.
According to reports, party members and leaders were beaten while phones and other valuables were seized.
The situation was repeated in Cross River State in March, when suspected hoodlums disrupted an ADC secretariat opening in Bakassi Local Government Area.
Another reported incident occurred in Rivers State on March 20, 2026, when suspected thugs allegedly disrupted the inaugural meeting of the ADC Young Women’s Forum in Eleme Local Government Area.
The incident reportedly resulted in the destruction of canopies, chairs, loudspeakers and other materials.
Political violence was also reported at a factional Peoples Democratic Party gathering in Abuja in May, while violence reportedly broke out during an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Delta State in July.
On July 31, 2026, suspected political thugs reportedly attacked a PDP gathering at Ikwuator Idembia in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The meeting had been organised in support of Ifeanyi Nworie, a former APC member who defected to the PDP. Reports said about 10 PDP members were injured while chairs, canopies and public-address equipment were damaged.
Osun and Other States Witness Fresh Tensions
Political tension has also been reported in Osun State.
In July, hoodlums reportedly invaded an INEC/PVC distribution centre in Okuku and allegedly removed voter cards after shooting into the air.
Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state, Senator Francis Fadahunsi was reportedly questioned by the police over comments interpreted as threatening members of the Accord Party.
In the Federal Capital Territory, suspected thugs reportedly disrupted an Accord Party gathering in Kuje on August 30, 2026.
The attackers were alleged to have been armed with cutlasses and to have destroyed campaign materials, tables and chairs. At least one person was reportedly injured.
Political gatherings were also reportedly disrupted in Enugu State on September 12, 2026.
According to reports, an NDC ward meeting in Nkanu West was disrupted by armed hoodlums amid sporadic gunshots, while another group allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs prepared for a PDP rally in Agbani.
On September 14, suspected thugs reportedly disrupted an ADC political meeting in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The following day, September 15, an ADC meeting in Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was reportedly disrupted, forcing party members and supporters to flee.
On September 16, suspected APC supporters were also reported to have attacked ADC supporters in Kaduna and vandalised vehicles.
Political Statements Add to Tension
Beyond physical attacks, controversial political statements by some public officials and political actors have added to concerns about the tone of the emerging 2027 campaign.
In Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru was reported to have warned local government chairmen over their performance for the APC ahead of 2027, while comments attributed to political figures in Yobe, Borno, Kebbi and the FCT have also generated controversy.
Some of the statements were subsequently withdrawn or apologised for following public criticism.
In Yobe, APC state chairman Mohammed Gadaka reportedly urged married women to divorce husbands who prevented them from voting for the APC. He later withdrew the comment.
In Borno, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Sainna Buba reportedly made remarks threatening opponents of the APC before subsequently apologising.
In the FCT, Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo reportedly attracted criticism after comments warning residents who did not support the APC to leave the area.
In Kebbi State, Gwandu Local Government Chairman Atiku Ahmad Mandiya was reportedly captured in a video urging supporters to deal with anyone who spoke against Governor Nasir Idris.
These incidents and statements have intensified debate over the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections.
Peter Obi Convoy Incident
One of the more recent incidents involved Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.
Obi’s convoy was reportedly stopped in Benue State while he was travelling along the Makurdi-Gboko road towards Yelwata to commiserate with victims of the 2025 killings.
The incident drew condemnation and renewed discussion about the freedom of political actors to travel, campaign and engage with citizens across states.
What the Law Says
Nigeria’s electoral laws already prohibit several forms of conduct associated with political violence.
Section 227 of the 1999 Constitution prohibits political associations from retaining, organising, training or equipping persons or groups for the use or display of physical force or coercion in pursuit of political objectives.
The Electoral Act 2022 also contains specific provisions dealing with political campaigns and violence. Section 91 requires the police to provide adequate security for peaceful political rallies and says registered political parties, aspirants and candidates should not be prevented from holding constitutionally permitted rallies, meetings or processions.
Section 92 prohibits political parties, aspirants and candidates from retaining, organising, training or equipping groups for the use or display of physical force or coercion for political purposes.
Section 93 further prohibits threats involving force or violence during political campaigns intended to compel people to support or reject a political party or candidate.
Section 128 criminalises threats, violence, intimidation and other actions intended to prevent voters from freely exercising their franchise. It also covers conduct that prevents a political aspirant from freely using campaign vehicles, media or mobilisation of political support.
The legal framework therefore provides mechanisms for dealing with political violence, although stakeholders continue to raise concerns about enforcement.
Archbishop Warns Politicians Against Escalating Tensions
Reacting to the growing concerns, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia Diocese, Most Rev. Chibuzor Opoko, warned politicians against sponsoring thuggery and actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy.
Opoko urged political leaders to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further alienate citizens.
He said political leaders should place the interests of Nigeria above personal and electoral considerations.
According to him, Nigerians should not be treated merely as electoral commodities who are remembered only during election periods.
The archbishop also called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil servants and other influential Nigerians to speak out against political misconduct.
‘Political Thuggery Remains Serious Threat’
Comrade Austin Ozobo, President of the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, described political thuggery as a serious threat to electoral credibility.
He argued that the challenge was not necessarily the absence of laws but the enforcement of existing laws.
Ozobo called for security agencies and prosecutors to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in political violence regardless of their political affiliation.
He also advocated stronger mechanisms for dealing with electoral offences before elected officials are sworn into office.
Structural Problems Behind Political Thuggery
Chief Sheriff Mulade, a National Democratic Party candidate for the Warri Federal Constituency, attributed political violence to broader structural problems, including weak institutions, economic vulnerability, political patronage and alleged abuse of security structures.
He warned that unchecked political violence could deepen Nigeria’s political, ethnic and regional divisions.
Similarly, lawyer Francis Avbenagha described political thuggery as a threat to constitutional democracy.
He argued that existing electoral laws provide a legal basis for dealing with political violence but that effective enforcement remains critical.
Unemployment and Youth Recruitment
Prof. Olugbenga Oke-Samuel, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Coordinator of the Akungba Law Clinic, linked political thuggery partly to unemployment and the lack of opportunities for young people.
He argued that governments need stronger youth-development policies, including skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and investment in technical and vocational education.
According to him, reducing youth unemployment could make political recruitment into violent activities less attractive.
Calls for Early Action
The growing concerns have led analysts and civil society voices to call for preventive measures well before election day.
Electoral violence can occur at different stages of the electoral cycle, including during party congresses, campaigns, rallies, voter registration and political mobilisation.
The challenge, therefore, extends beyond securing polling units on election day.
For Nigeria’s 2027 elections, stakeholders are calling for security agencies, political parties, electoral authorities, civil society organisations, religious leaders and traditional institutions to work together to prevent intimidation and violence.
With the Electoral Act already prohibiting threats, violence and the organisation of groups for political coercion, the effectiveness of enforcement is likely to remain a major issue as political activities intensify.
The history of Nigeria’s previous republics continues to provide a warning about the consequences of prolonged political instability. Whether the country can prevent the escalation of current tensions will depend significantly on the conduct of political actors, the response of security agencies and the enforcement of existing electoral laws.
Source: Vanguard News; additional legal references reviewed by DReportorial Media.
