As campaigns for the 2027 general elections gain momentum, concerns are growing about the use of intimidation and harassment by some politicians to secure votes. In Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru has threatened to remove local government chairpersons who fail to ensure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC). This stance has been widely condemned as impunity and intolerance.
The governor's threat is not only undemocratic but also unconstitutional. According to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, governors do not have the power to remove local government chairpersons. This move undermines the autonomy of local governments, which are enshrined in the constitution as the third tier of government in Nigeria. The Supreme Court's July 2024 judgment, which ruled that federal allocations be paid directly to local government accounts, further emphasizes their independence.
Unfortunately, Governor Nwifuru is not alone in this despicable act. In Borno State, Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, threatened to flog anyone who refuses to vote for APC candidates in 2027. Such inflammatory rhetoric is alien to democracy and has been condemned by many. The Chairman of Kuje Area Council in Abuja, Samuel Shekwolo, has also told residents that anyone not prepared to support the APC in 2027 should leave the area.
These incidents of political intolerance are not limited to the APC. Recently, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, was blocked from moving around in Benue State by hired thugs. The thugs, who were chanting that Mr. Obi was a persona non grata, were not apprehended by the police in real-time, raising questions about the police's role in protecting democratic rights.
The police's response to the incident has been criticized as inadequate. Although 46 suspects were arrested the following day, many have questioned the identities of these suspects and the police's failure to act in real-time. The police boss has attributed the inaction to a desire to avoid using force, but this explanation has been described as specious.
These incidents of intimidation and harassment undermine the fundamental right to free movement of persons, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. They also highlight the need for the police to decisively deal with purveyors of anti-democratic tendencies to avoid possible subversion of the 2027 general elections. The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has been called upon to put an end to these growing anomalies in the democratic space.
Ultimately, candidates should secure votes through persuasion and presentation of convincing manifestos that address the existential crises of the people, not by coercion, harassment, and intimidation. The use of shortcuts to secure votes is dubious and an abuse of the electoral process. As electioneering gathers steam, it is essential that the police and other stakeholders ensure that the democratic process is protected from those who seek to undermine it.
Key points
- Nigerian politicians are using threats and intimidation to secure votes for the 2027 general elections.
- These incidents undermine the democratic process and the fundamental rights of citizens.
- The police have been criticized for their response to these incidents, and the Inspector-General of Police has been called upon to take action.
