2027: Stakeholders Warn Against Electoral Violence

Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times

Political activities have intensified across Nigeria following the commencement of campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders urging political parties and candidates to prioritise issue-based campaigns and avoid violence.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened the campaign season, with presidential and National Assembly campaigns beginning on Aug. 19, while campaigns for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled to commence on Sept. 9.

The development has renewed concerns about the conduct of political campaigns, particularly against the backdrop of violence recorded during the 2023 general elections and incidents linked to recent party primaries and electoral activities.

A report by the Election Violence Monitoring and Mitigation Group, an initiative of the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), documented 238 incidents of electoral violence and 28 deaths during the 2023 general elections.

According to the report, 98 incidents were recorded during the Feb. 25, 2023 presidential election, while 140 occurred during the March governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

With political parties already mobilising supporters, stakeholders have called for a different approach in 2027, urging candidates to focus their campaigns on policies and practical solutions to Nigeria's economic and security challenges.

Former INEC National Commissioner and constitutional lawyer, Festus Okoye, said poverty, insecurity and the economy were likely to dominate the campaigns.

He said Nigerians were increasingly interested in concrete solutions rather than political rhetoric, urging parties to explain how their policies would improve living conditions.

Okoye also called on political actors to address insecurity, youth disengagement from politics and the need to strengthen public confidence that votes would count.

He warned against the manipulation of ethnic and religious identities for political advantage, saying such practices could deepen tension and distrust.

Similarly, former INEC spokesman Olufemi Akinbiyi urged politicians and their supporters to keep campaigns peaceful and free from ethnic and religious sentiments.

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He said voters wanted candidates to clearly explain their plans for tackling insecurity, inflation, unemployment, healthcare, education, food insecurity and the rising cost of living.

Legal practitioner and development advocate Jide Ologun also urged political parties to use the campaign period to present concrete policies rather than focus on personalities.

He called on INEC and other relevant authorities to enforce electoral laws without fear or favour and urged voters to reject vote-buying.

“If you sell your vote, you are selling your future and your conscience,” Ologun said.

Another lawyer, Adewale Akande, identified security, the economy, electricity and infrastructure as major issues that should shape the 2027 campaigns.

He urged voters to support candidates who present practical solutions rather than relying on propaganda and rhetoric.

Meanwhile, Lagos Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Temilola Akinade, urged political parties to prevent disagreements from degenerating into personal attacks, intimidation or violence.

She said political competition should be based on ideas, policies and respect for opposing views.

Akinade also urged parties to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters, stressing that no political contest should result in the loss of lives.

Former Lagos lawmaker Jude Idimogu called on INEC to sanction parties and candidates who violate campaign guidelines, particularly through personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric.

He also urged security agencies to take firm action against individuals who encourage violence during campaigns.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, political parties, candidates, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions, security agencies and voters are expected to play a role in promoting peaceful participation.

For Nigerians, the emerging campaign season presents a choice between politics driven by ideas and policies and another cycle of division, violence and political confrontation.