The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force have warned politicians against threats, intimidation and inflammatory statements as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather pace across Nigeria.
The agencies said on Sunday, September 6, 2026, that political actors whose statements amount to threats or incitement could face sanctions, arrest and prosecution under the law.
The warning followed growing concerns over remarks by politicians and other political actors that critics believe could create tension and encourage violence before and during the elections. Civil society groups and lawyers have also urged security agencies to move beyond warnings and invitations by taking legal action against those whose conduct violates electoral laws.
INEC said it has powers under the Electoral Act to monitor political campaigns and take administrative action against political parties and candidates found to have breached campaign rules. The commission also stressed that political campaigns should focus on competing ideas and policies rather than creating fear among voters.
The commission explained that political speech could become intimidation when it involves direct or indirect threats of violence, physical harm, economic punishment or social exclusion aimed at forcing people to support or reject a particular candidate or party. It warned that such conduct could discourage people from voting and prevent some groups from taking part freely in the electoral process.
The Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission would monitor campaign activities and ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties. He added that parties could receive queries and face sanctions within the limits of INEC’s administrative powers.
The Electoral Act 2026 also contains provisions against threats and violence during campaigns. Section 97 prohibits candidates, political parties and other persons from threatening the use of force or violence to influence political support. Section 132 similarly makes it an offence to use or threaten force, injury, damage or other harm to influence a person’s decision at the polls.
A person convicted under Section 132 may face a fine of up to N2m or three years in prison. Other campaign-related offences under the law also carry penalties for candidates and political parties.
Despite the legal provisions, concerns over threatening political language have continued. Several statements made in different parts of the country have attracted public attention in recent months.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, while speaking at a meeting of opposition party leaders in Ibadan on April 25, warned politicians against being forced to defect to the ruling party. His reference to the violence associated with the political crisis of the First Republic drew criticism and renewed discussions about the need for responsible political speech.
On May 2, former New Nigeria Peoples Party Board of Trustees Secretary Buba Galadima also attracted controversy after making remarks about how Nigerians should prepare for the 2027 election. His comments were widely viewed as encouraging confrontation at polling centres.
In Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke on August 3 warned that residents would resist any attempt to manipulate the August 15 governorship election. Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun East also came under criticism after a video circulated online in which he appeared to threaten members of the Accord Party in Ilesa.
Similar concerns were raised over comments attributed to political figures in other states. Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Shekwolo was reported to have warned non-APC supporters to leave the council area, while Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Sainna Buba was accused of threatening punishment for people who refused to support the APC in 2027.
In Ebonyi State, newly inaugurated Ohaukwu Local Government Chairman Eze Ituma reportedly warned opposition parties and their supporters against political activities that he believed could conflict with his interests. In Yobe, APC Chairman Muhammad Gadaka also attracted criticism after making a controversial statement at a campaign event concerning married women whose husbands opposed their support for the party.
The growing number of such incidents has raised fears that political tension could become more serious as parties intensify mobilisation for the 2027 elections. The PUNCH had previously reported that at least 870 people were reportedly killed in election-related violence since the National Peace Committee began its intervention in 2015.
The police have now promised to enforce existing laws against incitement. Force Public Relations Officer Anietie Iniedu said the force would not ignore individuals whose public statements threaten peace or could trigger violence.
He said the police were preparing public awareness campaigns and communication plans across their commands to educate officers and citizens about inflammatory political statements. According to the police, suspects arrested over such conduct would be investigated and prosecuted where there is sufficient evidence.
However, the police also noted that cases would be handled according to their individual circumstances, with some investigations requiring additional steps before prosecution.
Civil society organisations have called for more consistent enforcement. Executive Secretary of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said politicians who make statements capable of threatening public safety or the electoral process should be arrested and prosecuted where the evidence supports such action.
Itodo also raised concerns about what he described as unequal treatment of political actors and ordinary citizens. He argued that security agencies need to clearly communicate the steps they take against politicians accused of inflammatory conduct so the public can see that the law is being applied fairly.
He warned that unchecked political threats could create an environment in which voters become afraid to attend polling units. Such fear, he said, could reduce voter turnout and weaken the credibility of an election.
The Centre for Change also called for restraint among political actors. Its president, Joe Odumakin, linked the rise in political threats to the struggle for power, intolerance, weak accountability and the use of ethnic and religious sentiments for political purposes.
Odumakin urged politicians to treat opponents as political rivals rather than enemies and to focus their campaigns on policies, leadership and solutions to Nigeria’s problems. She also called on civil society groups, journalists, religious leaders and traditional rulers to promote tolerance and discourage attempts to divide communities.
Human rights lawyer Jiti Ogunye said threatening voters or political opponents was already prohibited by electoral and criminal laws. He argued that the continued use of such language showed that existing laws had not been enforced strongly enough to discourage politicians.
Ogunye called on the police to improve enforcement and prosecute people where investigations establish criminal conduct. He also questioned whether law enforcement agencies could always act independently during politically sensitive periods.
Constitutional lawyer Victor Opatola similarly said political parties should discipline members who make inflammatory statements. He argued that parties have a responsibility to control the conduct of their members, while security agencies must ensure that violations of the law are properly investigated.
The Coalition of United Political Parties also accused authorities of failing to respond strongly enough to political threats. Its National Secretary, Peter Ameh, argued that intimidation could restrict opposition activities and weaken political participation. He called on the police to protect all political parties equally and take action where threats are established.
The APC, however, rejected claims that it encourages violence or threatening campaign methods. Its National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the party’s approach was to campaign on its record in government rather than through threats or inflammatory language. He also opposed the use of ethnic and religious identities as tools for political mobilisation.
With the 2027 elections approaching, INEC and the police have therefore warned that political competition will not excuse conduct capable of threatening public peace or voters’ freedom of choice. The agencies said existing electoral and criminal laws would be applied against individuals and parties found to have crossed the line from political campaigning into intimidation or incitement.