The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to politicians ahead of the 2027 general election, emphasizing that their ambitions are not worth the blood of Nigerians. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan SAN, delivered this message at a strategic workshop for editors organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in collaboration with the commission in Abuja.
Amupitan stressed that INEC will not tolerate political competition devolving into violence, intimidation, or inflammatory rhetoric. He stated that democracy thrives on the clash of ideas, not the clash of weapons or the proliferation of hate speech. The commission has put in place machinery to track offenders, including an early-warning tracking framework to log incidents of political violence, thuggery, and dangerous campaign rhetoric.
According to Amupitan, any political party or candidate implicated in inciting violence, disrupting rivals' rallies, or deploying armed thugs will face direct statutory sanctions and swift prosecution. He emphasized that no political office in Nigeria is worth the blood of a single Nigerian. The INEC Chairman also shared evidence of the kind of conduct he was warning against, citing a case of an NDC candidate in Kano State campaigning with a gun in his hands.
Amupitan expressed concern over the current state of elections in Nigeria, lamenting that the process has turned into a display of violence and intimidation. He appealed for restraint, urging citizens to be patriotic and remember their role in the democratic process. The INEC Chairman emphasized that election is a periodic process for the election of leaders every four years.
The warning from INEC comes as electioneering intensifies across the country. Amupitan's message is clear: politicians must conduct themselves in a manner that promotes peace and stability. The commission's commitment to tracking offenders and enforcing sanctions is a move to ensure a safe and credible electoral process.
The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has been activated to monitor and respond to incidents of political violence. This move is aimed at preventing the escalation of violence and ensuring that the 2027 general election is conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner.
INEC's warning to politicians is a timely intervention aimed at promoting a peaceful and credible electoral process. The commission's commitment to enforcing sanctions against offenders is a move to ensure that the 2027 general election is conducted in a manner that reflects the will of the Nigerian people.
Key points
- INEC Chairman warns politicians that their ambitions are not worth the blood of Nigerians.
- The commission has put in place machinery to track offenders, including an early-warning tracking framework.
- Any political party or candidate implicated in inciting violence will face direct statutory sanctions and swift prosecution.
