The Nigeria Police Force and the National Peace Committee, led by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), have stepped up efforts to contain rising political tension and alleged inciting comments as campaigns for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The police have commenced investigations into controversial remarks allegedly made by the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba; the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Shekwolo; and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District.
At the same time, the Peace Committee has activated a situation room and an Electoral Offences Tracking System to monitor campaigns, alleged breaches of the political accord and other conduct capable of undermining the electoral process.
The developments followed a series of controversial statements and reported incidents that have heightened fears of intimidation and violence as political parties intensify mobilisation for the 2027 polls.
Last week, Shekwolo sparked public outrage after a viral video showed him warning residents opposed to the All Progressives Congress to leave the council ahead of the elections.
“I’ve said in my area council, it is either you are doing APC or leave the area council. I am not hiding it. I’m saying it with all confidence,” Shekwolo said.
Days after Shekwolo’s warning, thugs armed with cutlasses reportedly attacked an Accord Party political gathering in Kuje, Abuja, on Sunday. The attackers allegedly chased participants away, destroyed campaign materials and furniture, and injured at least one person.
Similarly, Fadahunsi came under criticism after another viral video showed him threatening members of the Accord Party in Ilesa, Osun State, amid heightened political tension before last month’s governorship election.
Fadahunsi, an APC member, spoke in Yoruba while addressing supporters during a protest at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland over what he described as the incessant killing of APC members in the area.
He said, “The cap they wear – it is yellow fever cap, it is the cap of an animal.
“It is animal that kills. Have you ever heard that APC killed anyone? Are those being killed not your people? So, we have come to tell you, up till the day of the election, if we see them, it is killing.”
His comments came a day after three people were killed in a shooting in the Imo area of Ilesa, Osun State, amid heightened political tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The circumstances surrounding the killings, however, remained disputed.
Buba also came under fire after he reportedly threatened to flog and cut off the fingers of residents who refused to support the APC in the 2027 election.
The incidents have intensified concerns over the potential use of threats, intimidation and violence in the electoral process, prompting increased scrutiny by security and peace-building institutions.
On Tuesday, opposition parties accused the APC-led government of heightening political tension, while the ruling party challenged them to provide evidence to support the allegations.
The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-backed Peoples Democratic Party National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, told The PUNCH in an exclusive interview that the APC was aware that a free, fair and credible election could produce an outcome undesirable to the ruling party.
He alleged that threats were being issued to intimidate voters and discourage them from exercising their franchise.
The National Democratic Congress National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, also accused President Bola Tinubu of actions and utterances capable of heightening political tension, insisting that Nigerians could not be cowed by threats or intimidation.
Similarly, the National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party, Yabagi Sani, warned the APC and other political actors against actions that could create confusion, disorder or anarchy during the election period.
However, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed allegations that the ruling party was desperate or recruiting people to cause mayhem.
He challenged the accusers to provide evidence, arguing that the APC had no reason to create chaos while in power and seeking to retain it through the delivery of democratic dividends to Nigerians.
