BY JOHN ODHE
With barely two months remaining before Nigeria’s January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly polls, a troubling wave of campaign violence is sweeping across the nation, casting a shadow over the credibility of the upcoming elections.
According to data released by the African Centre for Security, Governance and Development (CentreSGD), at least 70 physical election-related attacks were recorded across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory between January 1 and October 27, 2026.
Twenty of these violent incidents resulted in 27 fatalities, prompting urgent warnings from civil society groups and election monitors that unchecked political thuggery could severely undermine democratic participation.
Recent clashes have cut across party lines, targeting rallies, campaign convoys, and opposition candidates in multiple geopolitical zones. In Lagos, armed men wielding axes, clubs, and machetes stormed a town hall meeting for Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, injuring supporters and journalists.
Similar mayhem unfolded in Asaba, Delta State, where an attack on an NDC procession left one person dead and five injured, while supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were ambushed en route to a rally in Faskari, Katsina State, leaving several wounded and campaign vehicles torched.
Other high-profile incidents include an assault on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore’s entourage in Ado-Ekiti and alleged disruptions targeting African Democratic Congress (ADC) teams in Sokoto and Kebbi.
Monitoring bodies indicate that these physical assaults are unfolding alongside widespread violations of existing peace agreements. In its latest assessment covering August 19 to October 27, 2026, the National Peace Committee documented 109 breaches of the National Peace Accord across 26 states and Abuja, with political violence and thuggery accounting for the highest number of infractions at 33 cases.
The committee identified Kaduna, Edo, Enugu, and Cross River as major flashpoints requiring urgent intervention. Meanwhile, security analysts note that the concentration of unrest in the North-West is partly fueled by deep-seated socio-economic grievances and fierce political rivalry, heightening mistrust among rival party loyalists.
The escalating insecurity is already taking a heavy toll on voter confidence ahead of the polls. Citing a September 2026 National Voting Intentions Survey by Yiaga Africa, CentreSGD revealed that 61 per cent of Nigerians fear that violence could prevent them from casting their ballots in 2027, a figure that rises to 78 per cent among respondents in the North-East.
Observers warn that persistent intimidation, hate speech, and the weaponisation of political thugs risk disenfranchising vulnerable demographics, particularly women, youths, and persons with disabilities, turning what should be a contest of ideas into a test of physical force.
In response to the worsening security climate, lawmakers and electoral authorities have begun taking steps to stem the tide of bloodshed. The House of Representatives recently adopted a motion of urgent public importance and constituted a special ad hoc committee, chaired by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, to investigate the immediate and remote causes of campaign attacks within three weeks.
In all of these, the electorate and political actors in Bayelsa State have yet to experience electoral violence as the campaign rallies intensify across the State. Some political analysts attribute the smooth and peaceful atmosphere in the State to the effort of the governor, Senator Douye Diri in collaboration with security agencies to ensure a hitch free process.
Meanwhile, political pundits have warned against hate speeches as recently observed in the State, advising all political parties and their candidates to base their campaigns on economic, infrastructure and other life improving issues.
Simultaneously, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force have intensified warnings to political actors and commercial transport unions against acting as instruments of thuggery, while international observers, including the European Union, continue to urge party leaders to advise their supporters to uphold democratic peace.
While warning against campaign violence is commendable, stopping the ugly trend goes beyond mere condemnation of the act. Decisive action must be taken against the perpetrators no matter whose horse is gored. Nigerians should begin to see the arrest and prosecution of those found wanting in the undemocratic act of electoral campaign violence. This is the best action against campaign violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
