Nigerian politicians, give peace a chance!

 

It’s campaign season quite alright. From August 19 to February 4, 2027, politicians vying for different political offices are going to be criss-crossing their constituencies to tell what they intend to do for the people if voted into office. It is however concerning and disheartening to witness the scant regard that Nigeria’s political class held the Peace Accord they voluntarily signed on August 18, 2026.

Across several states, politics of intolerance is on display. Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State reportedly said he will orchestrate the removal of Local Government chairman that fail to win his council for the ruling All Progressives Congress. The chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Shekwolo asked those who will not vote for APC to leave the Council. Chairman of Gwandu Local Government, Alhaji Atiku Mandiya was seen in a viral video telling his supporters to deal with anyone speaking against Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State ahead of 2027 elections.  Borno State Commissioner for Youth Sports and and Poverty Alleviation, Sainna Buba threatening political opponents although he later apologised. Chairman of Esan West, Blessing Ebhodaghe in Edo State last week asked all drivers at the Onitsha Park in Ekpoma to willy-nilly wear President Bola Tinubu’s emblematic signature cap. And the list goes on.

Abia State Signage Agency is asking presidential candidate to pay a whooping N200m before they will be allowed to mount billboard, paste posters and display any campaign materials. Governorship candidates are to pay N150m. This is preposterous! Governor Seyi Makinde and the Allied Peoples Movement has challenged this prohibitive fees in court but we do know how our court system works with snail-pace. Perhaps, by the time the court judgement will come, the campaign may be over.

I was on News Hub on Silverbird Television on Monday, September 21, 2026 to speak to these issues. I minced no words in condemning them and affirmed that the reason behind the surge is because of the culture of impunity that have been built around electoral offences including violence. I have said, time and again that there are broadly three types of violence that are witnessed in Nigeria’s political milieu. They are physical, structural and psychological violence.

Take for instance, charging of astronomic fees before candidates can display their campaign materials, be it posters or billboards is tantamount to structural violence. In many states opposition party candidates are disallowed from airing their political jingles and adverts in state owned media. Sometimes, they did it covertly by  charging them exorbitant  fees which they know they will not be able to afford. At other times, they are disallowed from using stadia or events centre belonging to the state.

Meanwhile, Section 99 (2) of the Electoral Act 2026 says “State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.”  It is because of denial of access to state owned media that made many politicians have had to establish their radio, television and newspapers. Check out the list of politicians with media ownership. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1937 established West Africa Pilot, Chief Obafemi Awolowo established Nigerian Tribune in 1949, Chief MKO Abiola established National Concord, Senator Orji Kalu owns The Sun and The Telegraph newspapers, President Bola Tinubu is not left behind. He owns media conglomerate – The Nation, TVC News,  and Max FM. 

It is noteworthy that psychological violence is inflicted on candidates when strenuous  efforts are made to de-market them either through fake news, misinformation and disinformation or anything meant to tarnish their images. We have seen in Ogun State allegation by a section of the political class that the APC governorship candidate in the state, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola better known as Yayi is a native of Ekiti State and not from the state he is trying to govern. Meanwhile, this same gentleman has twice served as senator in Lagos State (2015 – 2023) without any ado before crossing over to Ogun State in 2023 to represent the people of Ogun West senatorial district. All these noise about his  state of origin is a smear campaign meant to dent his image. Of course, he maintained that he is from Ilaro in Ogun State and threatened to sue his detractors linking him to Ekiti State.

From past experiences, as we get close to the election D-Day in 2027, there will be a spike in the aforementioned three types of violence. The only way to curb it is for the law enforcement agencies to wake up to their responsibilities by nipping it in the bud. The Independent National Electoral Commission better known as INEC established a standing committee known as Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security under the Prof. Attahiru Jega led Commission. That committee is expected to provide election security. I do hope they will rise to the occasion and not allow bad politicians to dilute the peace of our country because of election.

As per the law, there are plethora of laws that have criminalized electoral violence. Part VII  (Sections 118 – 133 of the Electoral Act) is wholly dedicated to Electoral Offences.  Section 227 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered is also among the law that have criminalized electoral violence. It is important for candidates and their political parties that sign on to the Peace Pact to respect the accord. If they want to observe it in breach, law enforcement officers should sweep into action and get such scoundrels arrested, investigated and prosecuted, not minding if they belong to the ruling party or the opposition. We should remember that electoral violence was responsible for the collapse of the First and Second Republics. That history should not be allowed to repeat itself. INEC Voter Education and Publicity department should be well resourced to step up campaign against political intolerance and violence. Civil society organisations and the media must all join hands to sensitize citizens against electoral violence.

I.G: @jideojong