….urges political parties to caution supporters, demands impartial investigations and calls for protection of journalists and campaign teams.
The Voters Awareness Initiative (VAI) has condemned the rising incidents of political violence, intimidation, attacks on campaign convoys and obstruction of political activities across the country, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to national security and Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation, in a statement issued on November 8, 2026, and signed by its President, Wale Ogunade, described the reported attacks on political candidates, their supporters and journalists as unacceptable, stressing that political differences must not be settled through violence.
VAI expressed particular concern over reported incidents involving presidential candidates Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
It also cited the reported attack on Mannir Dan’iya, the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, and an attack on a convoy of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to the organisation, Sowore and members of his team reportedly came under attack during his visit to Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on October 31, 2026.
It also recalled that Obi’s convoy was reportedly attacked around Watt Market Roundabout in Calabar, Cross River State, on November 4, with suspected assailants wielding machetes and sticks, damaging vehicle windscreens and causing panic.
The Cross River State Police Command was said to have arrested a suspect, while investigations continued to identify other persons allegedly involved.
VAI further recalled the reported obstruction of Obi’s convoy along Gboko Road in Makurdi, Benue State, on September 8, when he attempted to visit Yelwata to sympathise with communities affected by violence.
The police reportedly arrested 46 suspects in connection with the incident.
The organisation also raised concerns over the reported attack involving Dan’iya near the Sokoto State airport on October 31, amid allegations of the involvement of personnel of state security outfits.
It noted that conflicting accounts had emerged concerning the incident and called for an impartial investigation, insisting that security agencies must remain professional and politically neutral.
On the reported attack on Atiku’s campaign convoy in Kebbi State on November 5, VAI said members of the campaign team alleged that suspected attackers blocked the convoy, pelted vehicles with stones and destroyed equipment belonging to journalists and other members of the media crew.
It condemned the alleged destruction of media equipment, describing any attempt to intimidate journalists or obstruct their professional duties as an assault on press freedom and the public’s right to information.
The organisation also cited the October 28 attack on an APC supporters’ convoy along the Yashi-Funtua Road in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to the statement, suspected political thugs attacked the convoy with stones and other dangerous objects, damaging vehicle windscreens and injuring a female motorist travelling in a commercial vehicle. The police reportedly arrested 14 suspects in connection with the incident.
VAI stressed that political violence must be condemned irrespective of the political affiliation of those affected, adding that supporters of the APC, ADC, NDC, AAC and other parties were equally entitled to protection.
It urged political parties and their leaders to caution supporters against attacking opponents, blocking campaign routes, destroying political posters, threatening rival supporters or engaging in violent confrontations.
The organisation also called on candidates, party spokespersons and supporters to avoid hate speech, ethnic profiling, religious incitement, misinformation and inflammatory statements capable of provoking violence.
It urged political parties to focus their campaigns on manifestos, policies, leadership accountability and national development rather than hostility towards opponents.
On the protection of journalists, VAI maintained that media professionals must be allowed to discharge their responsibilities without fear of assault, harassment or destruction of their equipment.
It also recommended the establishment of an accessible rapid-response mechanism involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, other security agencies and civil society organisations to receive and respond promptly to reports of election-related threats and violence.
The organisation called for renewed commitment to the National Peace Accord, insisting that agreements signed by presidential candidates and political parties must translate into peaceful conduct by their leaders, supporters and campaign organisations.
It further advocated sustained civic education and community sensitisation through schools, markets, motor parks, religious institutions, universities and traditional institutions to promote political tolerance and peaceful participation.
Addressing presidential candidates, VAI urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Omoyele Sowore and other contenders to publicly condemn political violence and demonstrate responsible leadership through their statements and actions.
The organisation also appealed to Nigerian youths not to allow politicians to use them as instruments of violence, warning that their future was more valuable than political appointments, financial inducements or temporary favours.
It urged young Nigerians to reject the use of weapons, attacks on political opponents, destruction of property and the dissemination of inflammatory messages.
VAI called on Nigerians to reject political intolerance and embrace the principles of peaceful disagreement, constructive debate and respect for divergent political choices.
Reaffirming its commitment to a peaceful, inclusive and accountable democratic system, the organisation said its campaign against electoral violence was not directed at any political party or presidential candidate but against intimidation, political thuggery, impunity, electoral manipulation and other practices capable of undermining citizens’ constitutional rights.
It called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups, professional associations, security agencies and media organisations to join efforts to safeguard the country’s democracy.
The statement concluded with the declaration: “Let the ballot box decide, not the bullet. Let political differences unite us in democratic participation, not divide us through violence. No political ambition is worth the life of a single Nigerian.”
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