Nigeria’s political class is once again heating the polity as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum. From Abuja to Borno and Osun, politicians have recently made statements that should concern every Nigerian who values peaceful elections and democratic freedoms.
The latest incidents involving the chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory and the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development are particularly disturbing. They come at a time when political activities for the 2027 elections are already gathering pace, when the country should be working to prevent the tensions that have preceded violence during past elections.
The chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, was recently captured in a video telling residents that they should either support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the area council. He referred to development projects being undertaken in Kuje by the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The statement rightly provoked widespread criticism, with Amnesty International and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), among others, demanding his arrest and prosecution. Shekwolo has since attempted to explain away the controversy, saying he had no power to disenfranchise anyone and that his remarks were made in a particular context during a meeting with APC youths and loyalists.
His clarification is noted, but it does not erase the seriousness of the original statement. An elected council chairman has a responsibility to protect all residents within his jurisdiction, regardless of their political affiliation. He cannot suggest that citizens must support the ruling party to remain welcome in their own community.
The Borno incident is even more troubling. On Saturday, August 29, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Saina Buba, speaking at a political event in Maiduguri organised by a support group for President Tinubu, warned critics of the state government that they would face consequences. He said those who “raise their fingers” against the government would have them cut off or broken.
Such language has no place in democratic politics. A public official cannot threaten citizens or political opponents simply because they criticise a government or refuse to support a political party. The statement is particularly disturbing because it was made at a political gathering and as preparations for the 2027 election intensify.
These statements should be condemned without equivocation. Political disagreements are inevitable in a democracy. Threats are not.
What makes the situation more disturbing is that recent inflammatory comments have largely come from politicians associated with the ruling APC. This places a special responsibility on the party. The APC cannot afford to dismiss such utterances as the excesses of individual members. It should clearly dissociate itself from them and call those responsible to order. The party’s leaders should understand that silence can be interpreted as approval.
We, however, believe the security agencies have greater questions to answer.
Their response to these developments appears too cautious. We cannot afford a situation where the police wait until threats turn into attacks before taking action. Nigeria has seen enough examples of how reckless political language can prepare the ground for violence. In some communities, words initially dismissed as campaign rhetoric have eventually contributed to attacks and reprisals.
The Osun governorship election provided a recent warning. Ahead of the August 15 election, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East in the National Assembly, was captured in a video making a threat against members of the Accord Party. The comments generated outrage and prompted the police to summon him.
Fadahunsi later said his comments had been misrepresented and that he meant his supporters should defeat the Accord Party with votes rather than violence. But the explanation came after the statement had already circulated widely.
The incident demonstrates why politicians should be held accountable for dangerous utterances. They have enormous influence over their supporters and must understand that words spoken at rallies and political gatherings can have consequences far beyond their immediate audience.
At Daily Trust, we believe the police should investigate the comments by Fadahunsi and Shekwolo, as well as those of the Borno commissioner, and determine whether they constitute offences under Nigerian law. Where the evidence supports prosecution, the suspects should face the courts.
Walk-backs should not become a convenient escape route for politicians who make reckless statements. The courtroom is where questions of criminal responsibility should be settled. A politician who makes a dangerous statement cannot simply issue a clarification after public outrage and expect the matter to disappear.
We therefore call on the Inspector-General of Police to direct thorough investigations into these cases and ensure that the law is applied without fear or favour. The police must send a clear message to politicians and their supporters that threats of violence will attract consequences.
Political leaders also need to remember what an election is about. They are seeking votes from citizens, not demanding their loyalty under threat. A resident of Kuje has the constitutional right to support the APC, another party or none at all. The same right belongs to citizens in Borno, Osun and every other part of the country.
Nigeria is entering a period in which political competition will become increasingly intense. Candidates will attack each other’s records, parties will mobilise supporters and the contest for votes will become sharper. That is normal. What is unacceptable is the deliberate use of threats and language that can frighten citizens, encourage supporters to attack opponents or make people believe that political disagreement could cost them their homes or lives.
