November 8, (THEWILL) – As political parties embark on campaigns nationwide, ahead of the 2027 general election, violence appears to be stalking the candidates and putting a question mark on the peaceful conduct of the upcoming polls. Without exception, all politicians from the governing and opposition parties alike are feeling the heat.
The unpredictability of this brewing violence across the country played out in Delta State, on Saturday.
Supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC), on the platform of Obi/Kwankwaso (OK), the movement backing the presidential ambition of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, came under deadly attack during a one-million-man march in Asaba, leaving several people injured and campaign vehicles vandalised. Thugs armed with matchetes, sticks, knives, and other weapons attacked and destroyed branded vehicles of the OK movement and the NDC candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, Victor Ochei.
Ochei, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring the attack and called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene and restore order.
He claimed that attackers destroyed more than 30 campaign buses and called on security agencies to investigate and prosecute those culpable. Comrade Flavour Emerue, Delta State Coordinator of OK Movement, said the organisers had notified the police and met with the Commissioner of Police ahead of the march, and yet police personnel allegedly disappeared when the attack occurred.
“The political elite has built a very hostile environment, and they keep increasing it daily by their actions. In the Nigeria I used to know, you could move anywhere, freely campaign, and the crowd would come to listen to you. Nigeria has never been so unsure about the mode of the coming election,” Mrs Ene Obi, ex- Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria and Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, told THEWILL in a brief interview on Saturday.
According to her, the principles of fairness and equality in the political space appears foreclosed by the governing elite in the attempt to fence off competitors.
“You have a situation where there is no playing field. A governor wil I’ml promise to deliver two million votes for the President, yet he got into office by scoring less than three hundred thousand votes. And so, the governing parties are losing the opportunity to maintain the decency of civilization at all times, knowing that our children will grow under such a system and learn to do the right thing,” she said, adding that the Civil Society Situation Room has repeatedly condemned political violence, while calling for the need to mobilize the citizenry to support democracy to grow.
OTHER REACTIONS
For the founding National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy, one of the three parties that birthed the current democratic dispensation, Professor Udenta Udenta, the winner-takes-all mentality, which pushes the loser into political orphanage for the next four years after any election, is one of the underlying factors that breeds violence, intimidation, and deep fakes and disruptions that erupt at every election cycle.
He contends that this risk factor can be resolved before any election if all the political parties agree to what he calls the creation of a Sovereign Commission to address the problem of exclusivity, form a sort of government of national unity, which all the subscribing political parties can join and feel a sense of belonging for a while. This, in his view, will enhance national stability. He also suggests legislation for proportional representation for parties according to the percentage scored in an election.
“A situation where a winning party with less than 40 per cent of the votes maintains 100 per cent control of government is untenable for our democracy. We must adapt what we borrowed.’ He said and added that political parties should get funding to keep them improving on their performance every election cycle.
In a reaction, a former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Office of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, in a statement titled, “A dark cloud is gathering over Nigeria,” and made available to THEWILL, said, “The violence of recent days demands an immediate response, but it is a symptom of a deeper crisis. Public confidence in the institutions that should help us settle our differences peacefully is eroding. Ethnic suspicion is increasingly being put to use. What is at stake is the survival of our democracy and our ability to live together as one country.”
Referencing Thursday, November 4, 2026, the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which set aside the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress and voided the presidential nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the violent attack against Sowore and his team in Ekiti, the attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar and VP Shettima’s convoy in Nasarawa, as well as Abubakar in Kebbi and the disruptions in Yankara, Katsina State, he drew a parallel with historical antecedents
“We have seen how quickly a crisis of confidence can become a crisis of the republic. The disputed Western Region election of 1965 was followed by arson and killings. By January 1966, the First Republic had fallen. This will snowball into a three-year civil war and the loss of more than a million lives. The disputed elections of 1983 brought bloodshed again, and by December the Second Republic was gone. Each crisis had its own causes, but both showed how vulnerable a civilian government becomes when citizens lose faith in the means of correcting its abuses, he said, adding, “June 12, 1993, offers another lesson. Nigerians across regional and ethnic lines gave M.K.O. Abiola broad support. The annulment squandered a moment in which citizens had shown at the ballot box how much they could agree on a decision across those divides. A credible election can strengthen the bonds of nationhood. When citizens believe their votes can be discarded, the damage reaches far beyond the candidate whose mandate is at stake.”
Arguing that there must still be a country for whoever wins in 2027 to govern, he urged every “candidate seeking the presidency to tell Nigerians what they intend to do to restore confidence in our institutions and hold our country together.”
According to him, “they can begin now by rejecting ethnic incitement, defending the right of their opponents to campaign and committing themselves to respect a credible result. “
For example, Senator Na’Allah said President Tinubu bears a special responsibility to ensure that the institutions of state serve all Nigerians impartially throughout this election.
He is on the same page with Ene Obi in calling on relevant stakeholders to actively participate in patriotic civic duties for the common good of the country. “Patriots in every part of Nigeria to organise now, peacefully and across party lines. Let labour unions, professional bodies, traditional and religious leaders, student organisations, journalists and civic groups convene public forums and demand clear commitments from those who seek power. Insist on a fair contest, equal protection for every lawful campaign, freedom for the press to cover it, and timely resolution of electoral disputes. Ask candidates how they intend to govern people who did not vote for them. And when someone on your own side turns a fellow Nigerian’s ancestry into a reason to fear or despise them, challenge it there and then.
“Our responsibility is to preserve a country in which we can lose an election and still belong, win an election and still answer to the law, and disagree with our neighbours without fearing one another. That work cannot wait until after the votes are counted. It must begin now.”
In his reaction, Senator Bala Na’Allah, ex-Deputy Majority leader of the Senate, said on Arise News that the upcoming poll could become one of the most dangerous in Nigeria’s history if the authorities fail to act now, warning that the gradual decline from inflammatory rhetoric into violent attack could worsen by election day in 2027.
He cited rising political tension, attacks on supporters, and inflammatory statements by opposition figures.
Na’Allah gave the warning during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, where he expressed concern over statements suggesting that political disputes would be settled on the streets rather than through the courts.
He specifically cited comments by former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, who reportedly said the opposition would not go to court over the outcome of the 2027 election but would instead defend its votes on the streets.
“I have read some statements that are equally not comforting. I have read some people saying, including Dino, who said, ‘We will not go to court. I have never heard this before in my life. We will not go to court. We will settle it on the street,’” he said, adding that, “One of the things I expect will happen is that the various opposition groups, in their determination to take power from the ruling party, will go to any length to campaign and get votes. And, of course, they may go to certain lengths to say they are going to defend their votes too. But from the aura of statements I have seen, it’s disconcerting enough to say that, at least, I have been around from 1999 to date. We have never seen this kind of situation
Na’Allah referenced reports of attacks on vehicles in Kebbi State and alleged attacks on some people in Sokoto, warning that the incidents were troubling because they had occurred at an early stage of political activities.
He urged the government to show leadership in this matter, as it has a constitutional responsibility to protect Nigerians and maintain order for the peaceful conduct of activities
“The responsibility is on everyone to provide a situation where there will be free, fair and credible elections. But the responsibility is particularly on the ruling party and the government of the day, which has the primary responsibility constitutionally for which it has sworn to protect the people of this country. And therefore, by its conduct, it must lead by example. And by its conduct, it must be seen to protect everybody in this country,” he said.
READ ALSO:
SHOWDOWN IN NASARAWA, CROSS RIVER, KEBBI, EKITI, KATSINA
Cross River, Ekiti, Katsina, Kebbi and Nasarawa States have become the flashpoint of renewed violence in the wake of untamed inflammatory rhetoric heard and seen in Osun during the governorship poll, in Kuje Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as well as in Borno State, Kogi and Delta states. In Osun on August 15, 2026, Senator Francis Fadahunsi called on his supporters to “Kill Accord, but later clarified his controversial statement to mean “Kill Accord with Votes.” Earlier, 50 persons were officially confirmed dead from pre-election violence. Sooner had Fadahunsi’s indiscretion passed away than Nigerians woke up on a day in August, 2026 to hear that Kuje Council Chairman in the FCT, Danjuma Shekwolo and his aide, Stephen Tumaka, threatened voters to “either you are doing APC or Leave the Area Council. Shortly after a Borno State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Development, Sainna Buba threatening supporters of the opposition that “whoever show us a finger, we are ready to cut off his fingers,” saying that while APC loyalists will enjoy “the honey,” non-supporter will be flogged.” Subsequently, Senator Dino Melaye and ex-Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie-Omo-Agege, Delta Central Senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, were to inflame the toxic political atmosphere with their own calculations about electoral outcomes in 2027. “Rig and Die,” said Omo-Agege. ” We are announcing to Tinubu and the APC that this time around, we will defend ourselves. We will not go to court; we will settle the matter on the streets, said Melayi.
These insurrectionary statements appear to have started yielding bitter fruits in Cross River, where the campaign convoy of the Presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, was attacked on Wednesday, November 3, 2026.
In Kebbi State, the presidential campaign flag-off party of the ADC was attacked in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other national leaders of the ADC. Political thugs attacked members of the campaign convoy and destroyed media equipment. According to ex-Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, who is also the party’s governorship candidate, it was the state government that sponsored the political thugs to attack members of the ADC campaign convoy.
The state government denied the allegation. In his reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ahmed Idris, said, “They came, they held their programme and left. It was even their supporters that destroyed our billboard. Government didn’t do anything to them.”
The convoy was returning from a courtesy visit to the Obong of Calabar and heading towards Metropolitan Hotel for a town hall meeting, when it ran into an ambush laid by thugs. While police intervened quickly and restored order, another round of attack followed soon in Watt Market Roundabout.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the event, Police Public Relations Officer in the state Command of the Nigeria Police, ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata, said the attackers emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis, armed with machetes and sticks, damaging the windscreens of some vehicles. Neither Obi nor Kwankwaso was injured, he confirmed. Some suspects, including a 27-year-old Victor Yellow Duke, were arrested and taken to the station for questioning.
Akata said the Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has directed a thorough investigation to identify other suspects and establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
While some NDC supporters called for the arrest and prosecution of everyone involved, warning that failure to address the incident could encourage further attacks, the state NDC Chairman, Goddie Akpama, called for restraint, saying the party leadership chose not to escalate the matter following an apology from the state governor to prevent further tension.
Apart from the disruption of activities at the venue of the APC presidential campaign rally in Lafia on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during which a shoe was thrown at Governor Abdullahi Sule while he was addressing the rally, amidst heckling afrom the crowd, the convoy of Vice President Kashim Shettima was attacked during his visit to the Emir of Lafia.
Alarmed at the development, the governor, who immediately summoned a security meeting at the Government House, Lafia, noted that if not dealt with swiftly, the violence has the potential to develop into full-blown terrorism akin to events that led to the emergence of Boko Haram in Borno State.
“The embarrassment was not to the state or the Presidential Campaign Council alone. It was an embarrassment to the Vice President on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is the reason why we cannot take it lightly,” he stated adding that if the political disagreements that caused the violence remain unchecked, the state may witness a free -for -all.
“We cannot, at the end of the day, after having such an embarrassment, just go and arrest five or six Almajiris and say that is the end of it. It will not work. The people responsible for this must be called to order. If we behave like them, believe me, the state will become ungovernable. That is how Boko Haram started.”
Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore and members of his team were attacked at a restaurant in Ado-Ekiti during his visit to Ekiti State. According to him, armed men stormed the location. The police later confirmed an incident had occurred and announced the arrest of 11 suspects.
POLICE IGP WARNS
Efforts to seek a response from the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police, CSP Iniedu Anietie, proved abortive as he could not be reached on his phone. However, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu had warned politicians to keep within the confines of decorum in the conduct of their activities during electioneering, threatening to apply Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law against any of them found to be involved in the recruitment, financing, and mobilizing of thugs to perpetrate violence before, during, and after the general election.
Amos Esele is the Editor of THEWILL Newspaper. He has over two decades of experience on the job.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
