Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, has called on President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to urgently tackle emerging cases of political intimidation and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Monday, the Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said recent incidents and allegations across the country, including threats, disruption of opposition meetings, obstruction of political actors and alleged interference with campaign materials, were warning signs that should not be ignored until election day.
Recall that security agents had on October 1, arrested some members of the Obidient Group during an Independence Day gathering in AkwaIbom State, citing possible breach of public peace, although the group had claimed the gathering was a peaceful exercise.
In the statement, Nwanguma said election security must begin before polling day, arguing that the deployment of security personnel on election day alone would not guarantee credible polls if threats, intimidation and political violence had already restricted participation.
RULAAC urged the President to publicly reaffirm the neutrality of state institutions and ensure that no political office holder, candidate or supporter is shielded from investigation or prosecution where there is credible evidence of electoral violence or intimidation.
The group also called on the police and other security agencies to investigate credible threats before they escalate, identify sponsors and organisers of political violence, trace illegal weapons and dismantle groups allegedly mobilised for intimidation.
It further urged INEC to strengthen its monitoring and early-warning mechanisms, document incidents capable of undermining political competition and promptly refer suspected electoral offences to investigative authorities.
RULAAC stressed that investigations into political violence should not stop at suspected foot soldiers, but should follow the chain of responsibility to those who recruit, finance, arm or direct them.
The rights group also called for the enforcement of the National Peace Accord signed by President Tinubu’s representatives and other political actors on August 18, 2026, saying the agreement should not become merely ceremonial.
It recalled INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan’s call for the 2027 campaign to become a “marketplace of ideas” rather than a “theatre of war,” stressing that this would only be possible if citizens and candidates could freely campaign, assemble and move without intimidation.
RULAAC called for a coordinated national electoral early-warning and response mechanism involving INEC, security agencies, civil society organisations, election observers and community-based networks.
It also urged authorities to pay particular attention to areas already affected by insecurity, including the Southeast, while ensuring that security measures remain intelligence-led, proportionate and community-sensitive.
“The real test of institutional neutrality would be whether opposition candidates receive the same protection as governing-party candidates, citizens can attend political meetings without fear, campaign materials are treated equally and allegations against politically connected individuals are investigated with the same diligence as those involving ordinary citizens.
“Nigeria must not wait for fatalities or widespread disruption before acting. The warning signs emerging ahead of the 2027 elections should be treated as opportunities for prevention,” RULAAC warned.
