The National Peace Committee (NPC) has expressed concern over the rising cases of election-related incidents in Nigeria, with 60 cases recorded across the country in just one month. The committee, chaired by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and convened by Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, warned that the incidents, including political violence, intimidation, and misinformation, could undermine the peace and credibility of the 2027 general elections. The NPC's Election Security Information (ESI) Hub documented the incidents between August 19 and September 19, 2026.
The NPC reported that misinformation and disinformation accounted for the largest share of the incidents, with 24 cases representing 40 per cent of the total. The committee also recorded 13 incidents involving attacks and disruptions targeting political activities and assets, representing 21.7 per cent, while political intimidation and threats, including incidents involving security personnel, accounted for 10 cases (16.7 per cent). The NPC urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen monitoring of political campaigns and enforce the Electoral Act 2026 and other regulations governing political parties.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has accused some politicians of instigating poor and vulnerable Nigerians to cause violence and anarchy, warning that such actions could undermine democracy and peace in the country. The governor, at a Special Interfaith Dialogue with traditional rulers and Christian and Muslim religious leaders in Kaduna, urged religious leaders to caution politicians against mobilising vulnerable people, particularly youths, to engage in violent protests and actions that could threaten peace and security.
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on President Bola Tinubu, INEC, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to take immediate steps to prevent political violence and intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The organisation cited reports of inflammatory political rhetoric, disruption of opposition meetings, restrictions on the movement of political actors, alleged discriminatory interference with campaign materials, and threats of physical violence against political opponents.
RULAAC's Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said recent incidents and allegations across states were warning signs that should not be ignored until election day. The organisation stressed that election security begins before election day and that credible elections could not be secured merely by deploying security personnel to polling units after months of threats, intimidation, and political violence.
RULAAC urged President Tinubu to publicly reaffirm the neutrality of state institutions and make it clear that no governor, minister, local council chairman, party official, candidate, or political supporter would be shielded from investigation or prosecution where credible evidence of electoral offences exists. The organisation also called on the police and other security agencies to identify emerging political violence hotspots, investigate credible threats, trace illegal weapons, and dismantle groups allegedly being mobilised to intimidate political opponents.
The 2027 general elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, with INEC's timetable providing for public campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections from September 23, 2026. The NPC and RULAAC have expressed concerns over the rising cases of election-related incidents and called for immediate action to prevent further escalation. The groups emphasized the need for all stakeholders to work together to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
Key points
- 60 election-related incidents have been recorded in Nigeria in just one month.
- The National Peace Committee and RULAAC have called for immediate action to prevent further escalation of election-related incidents.
- The 2027 general elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027.
