Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
Opposition political parties have raised concerns over alleged attacks and disruptions targeting their candidates and campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The parties are urging the Federal Government to intervene and prevent what they described as a growing pattern of intimidation from escalating into a crisis capable of undermining the credibility of the elections.
The development has reportedly heightened concerns among opposition groups as political activities intensify ahead of the polls.
One of the incidents that triggered the latest concerns involved the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, whose convoy was reportedly stopped by stick-wielding youths while he was travelling to Yelwata in Benue State.
Obi had planned to visit families affected by the June 13, 2025 attack in the community, in which hundreds of villagers were reportedly killed.
The convoy was stopped and forced to make a U-turn, resulting in the cancellation of the visit.
The APC-led Benue State Government subsequently attributed the incident to security concerns and alleged that Obi had failed to notify Governor Hyacinth Alia before embarking on the visit.
A similar incident was reported in Kaduna State the following day when suspected thugs allegedly disrupted the campaign activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The police reportedly deployed tear gas to disperse youths gathered at the scene and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The incidents occurred in Benue and Kaduna, both controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Opposition parties have also expressed concern over developments in Edo State, another APC-controlled state, where Governor Monday Okpebholo had previously warned Obi against visiting the state.
The parties fear that such incidents could become a recurring feature of the campaign season, potentially restricting opposition candidates from campaigning freely across the country.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and Allied People’s Movement (APM) are among the parties calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution APC governors against actions they consider intimidating to political opponents.
The Labour Party said President Tinubu should engage the governors directly and send a strong message against attacks on opposition campaigns.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, warned that failure to address the situation could raise questions about the credibility of the 2027 elections.
“As a political party, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rein in the governors.
“If such actions (attacks on campaign trails) are left unchecked, they could derail our already wobbling democracy,” Asogwa said.
The Labour Party said it would continue with its campaign activities while condemning what it described as attempts to use state power against political opponents.
It also pledged to defend constitutional rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Similarly, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP, which said it was working with the opposition coalition ahead of the elections, called on relevant authorities to stop alleged attempts to muzzle opposition parties.
The party said it was prepared to deploy all legal measures available to protect democratic participation.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the alleged attacks as an attempt to revive violent political campaigns and elections.
“The war rhetoric and violent physical attacks on opposition party figures are an attempt to reenact fiercely violent campaigns and elections,” Ememobong said.
He urged Nigerians and political actors to condemn the development, warning that it could promote what he described as “electoral authoritarianism.”
“If allowed to persist, it means no candidate will be able to campaign everywhere, as every candidate will be prevented from campaigning in his opponent’s terrain,” he said.
Ememobong also questioned the need for intimidation if the ruling party and its candidates were confident of their popularity.
“It is surprising that the attacks are coming from the APC, which claims dominance in the country but yet has intimidation as a strategy of political mobilisation.
“If the party and its candidates are as popular as they claim, why are they busy threatening people to vote for them? Why the coercion?” he asked.
Tighten the opening paragraphs
Use more neutral campaign wording
Clarify the election timeline
