Growing concerns over the conduct of political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections have prompted the National Peace Committee and election observers to sound an early warning on the risk of electoral violence across Nigeria.
A monitoring effort by the Election Security Information (ESI) Hub identified 109 alleged violations of the National Peace Accord and provisions of the Electoral Act across 27 states, highlighting an increasingly tense political environment.
The findings were presented in Abuja during a dialogue with media executives organised by the Kukah Centre in partnership with the International Press Centre and the Centre for Media and Society. According to the ESI Hub, the reported incidents range from political violence and attacks on campaign activities to intimidation, threats, restrictions on political participation and the spread of disinformation.
Related News
Research Manager Fatai Yusuf said the situation extends beyond physical confrontations. More than half of the recorded incidents involved non-violent violations, including threats, misinformation and actions capable of discouraging citizens from participating freely in the democratic process.
The development comes amid growing concern from the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), which has repeatedly urged politicians and their supporters to avoid actions capable of inflaming tensions ahead of the polls. Earlier, the committee warned candidates and political parties against hate speech, false communications and conduct that could undermine peaceful elections. It also noted dozens of election-related incidents involving intimidation, violence and misinformation.
One of the major concerns raised by observers is the increasing use of social media to circulate fabricated political content. The ESI Hub warned that manipulated images, recycled videos and other misleading materials are being deployed to shape public opinion and deepen political divisions. The organisation added that advances in artificial intelligence have made it easier for false information to spread rapidly.
Related News
The report further cited attacks on political gatherings, obstruction of campaign activities, destruction of campaign materials and restrictions on freedom of expression as troubling trends that could threaten the credibility of the electoral process.
Observers also expressed concern over reported attempts to pressure citizens and public officials because of their political affiliations. Such actions, they warned, risk creating an atmosphere of fear that could discourage voters from freely expressing their choices.
The National Peace Committee has called on political parties to uphold the commitments they made under the Peace Accord, while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to strengthen monitoring, enforcement and investigations into electoral offences.
With campaigns expected to intensify in the coming months, election stakeholders say the early warning signs should not be ignored. They argue that addressing misinformation, intimidation and political violence now will be critical to ensuring that every candidate can campaign freely and every voter can participate without fear.
