BY JOHN ODHE
With the 2027 general elections roughly 70 days away, a dangerous surge in politically induced inflammatory statements and inciting utterances by top politicians is heating up Nigeria’s political climate.
Stakeholders, civil society groups are raising the alarm that the unchecked deployment of hate speech, intimidation, and divisive rhetoric threatens to derail national peace and undermine the integrity of the democratic process. Observers warn that if the current trajectory continues, the upcoming presidential election could shift from a peaceful contest of ideas into a volatile conflict.
The escalation of hostile language spans across several states, cutting across different political parties. In Edo State, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe, sparked widespread outrage during a campaign rally after publicly threatening to “invoke the power of AK-47” against anyone attempting to block the party’s path to delivering 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Similarly, in Ebonyi State, governor Francis Nwifuru reportedly issued a stern warning to local government chairmen, instructing them to “deal mercilessly” with opposition figures who attempt to “mess up” the ruling party’s chances in their respective areas.
Beyond physical threats, the political discourse has taken a deeply troubling ethno-religious dimension. In Kano State, during a government-sponsored mass wedding, Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir explicitly urged Muslims to protect the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, warning that Christians would be shown their “limits” if they failed to comply.
The statement, delivered in the presence of senior state officials, drew severe condemnation for weaponizing religion.
Meanwhile, in the southern region, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, recently petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi had told an audience in Benin City that only “mad people and thieves” would cast their votes for the incumbent president in 2027.
Further compounding the tension are incidents where politicians have threatened the basic civic rights of voters. In Abuja, the chairman of the Kuje Area Council, Samuel Shekwolo, faced a fierce public backlash after a viral video emerged showing him telling residents to support the ruling party or pack their bags and leave the area ahead of the 2027 polls, a statement he later claimed was misconstrued.
In Borno State, a serving commissioner, Sainna Buba, similarly threatened political opponents with physical harm and state-backed repercussions during an event hosted by a pro-government support group.
In response to the growing hostility, regulatory and law enforcement bodies have not stepped up their interventions enough. Non of those making such inciting statements had been arrested and prosecuted. This is quite unacceptable. The police and other security agencies must stop this ugly trend.
INEC spokesman, Adedayo Oketola issued a stern warning indicating that under the Electoral Act 2026, politicians and political parties engaging in abusive, intemperate or inflammatory campaigns will face severe consequences. Convicted candidates risk a fine of up to ₦5 million or a 12-month prison sentence, while political parties could be fined up to ₦10 million. This law must be enforced.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, have declared inciting remarks a criminal offense, leading to the launch of multi-agency enforcement teams tasked with tracking down and prosecuting political actors violating the electoral code. They must show practical action.
As tensions mount, peace advocates emphasize that the human cost of weaponized rhetoric is already manifesting, pointing to recent targeted clashes and fatal political violence reported in states like Enugu and Ebonyi.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and various civil society groups are urging the media, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to actively counter the spread of hate speech.
For Nigeria’s democracy to withstand the pressures of the 2027 presidential election, political actors must urgently pivot away from identity-driven animosity and return to issue-based campaigns that prioritize national unity over desperate electoral gains.
