Political violence: A familiar threat as Nigeria approaches 2027 elections
For many Nigerians, political campaigns are supposed to be an opportunity to hear candidates explain their plans, engage supporters and convince voters to support their ambitions. But in several parts of the country, political activities have also been accompanied by intimidation, attacks and destruction of property.
The recent attack on supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) travelling to a campaign rally in Katsina State has brought the issue back into focus, raising concerns about the safety of political supporters and ordinary Nigerians as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
On October 28, 2026, suspected political thugs attacked an APC convoy travelling along the Yashi–Funtua road in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The convoy was heading to the Tinubu–Dikko 2027 campaign flag-off in Funtua when the attackers reportedly threw stones at the vehicles. Commercial vehicles travelling along the road were also affected, with several windscreens damaged and a female passenger injured.
The Katsina State Police Command subsequently announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the incident.
Although the attack did not happen during voting, it highlights a recurring problem in Nigeria’s political environment: violence involving political supporters, candidates and campaign activities.
With the next general elections approaching, the incident raises an important question: will Nigerians be able to participate in the 2027 elections without fear of intimidation or violence?
A history of violence around elections
Political violence is not new to Nigeria. Over the years, elections have been associated with attacks, killings, voter intimidation and clashes between supporters of rival political parties.
One of the most devastating examples occurred after the 2011 general elections.
Following the announcement of Goodluck Jonathan as the winner of the presidential election against Muhammadu Buhari, violence broke out in several northern states. Houses, churches and other properties were destroyed, while hundreds of people lost their lives.
According to figures referenced in a June 2026 editorial by Punch, about 800 people were killed during the violence that followed the 2011 elections.
The 2015 general elections also came amid concerns about political tension, although the election itself was widely regarded as less violent than previous electoral periods.
However, violence remained a major concern in the 2019 elections.
In a June 2019 report, Human Rights Watch said the elections were marked by violence and abuses involving political actors and security personnel.
The organisation called on the government to investigate attacks and ensure that people responsible for abuses were held accountable.
Yusuf Ewang, a Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch, said:
“Nigerian voters have entrusted Buhari with another opportunity to address the nation’s serious human rights problems, including political violence.”
The organisation also urged the government to ensure that security agencies complied with human rights standards and that credible allegations of abuses were investigated.
The violence that preceded the 2023 elections
The build-up to the 2023 general elections provided more examples of how political disagreements could turn violent.
In October 2022, clashes between APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in Zamfara State reportedly left one person dead and 18 others injured.
In November of the same year, an attack on Atiku Abubakar’s campaign in Maiduguri, Borno State, reportedly left 74 people hospitalised and 70 vehicles damaged.
The incidents continued into 2023.
In January, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi alleged that his supporters were attacked after a campaign rally in Katsina State.
There were also reports of attacks on campaign offices, political candidates and party supporters in different parts of the country.
The violence raised questions about whether political parties could conduct campaigns without exposing their supporters and members of the public to danger.
In a February 2023 report, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) observed that political violence ahead of the 2023 elections followed patterns similar to those recorded before the 2019 elections, with incidents increasing as election day approached.
The organisation also highlighted attacks against party supporters, candidates and electoral officials.
When political violence goes beyond politicians
One of the major concerns surrounding political violence is that its consequences are not limited to politicians or members of political parties.
Ordinary Nigerians can become victims simply because they are travelling through an area where political supporters are clashing.
The recent Katsina attack illustrates this concern. While the convoy was reportedly the target, commercial vehicles were also affected, and a female passenger sustained injuries.
For small business owners, drivers and passengers, such incidents can mean damaged property, medical expenses, lost income and fear of travelling through certain areas.
Political violence can also discourage people from attending rallies, participating in political activities or even exercising their right to vote.
When voters feel unsafe, the democratic process suffers.
The cost of election violence
Beyond the immediate injuries and destruction of property, election-related violence can weaken public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
A joint international election observation report by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) recorded 273 election-related violent incidents and 498 fatalities during the 2015 election cycle.
For 2019, the report recorded 347 incidents and 224 fatalities.
The figures increased in 2023, when 586 incidents and 348 fatalities were recorded.
The report also documented attacks on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices, personnel and electoral materials during the 2023 election cycle.
These figures show that election-related violence remains a serious challenge, even as Nigeria continues to conduct regular democratic elections.
Violence can also affect the credibility of elections when voters are intimidated, electoral officials are attacked or political activities are disrupted.
What does this mean for 2027?
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the Katsina incident is a reminder that election security cannot begin on voting day.
Political parties, candidates and security agencies have responsibilities to ensure that campaigns remain peaceful and that supporters are not encouraged to engage in violence.
INEC also has an important role in working with security agencies and other stakeholders to create a safe environment for voters and electoral officials.
In September 2022, presidential candidates signed a peace accord ahead of the 2023 general elections, committing themselves to peaceful campaigns and accepting the need to discourage violence.
However, the incidents recorded before and during those elections showed that signing agreements alone cannot eliminate political violence.
There must also be a commitment to respecting the rights of political opponents, discouraging inflammatory statements and ensuring that people responsible for attacks face the law.
The police must investigate reported attacks, while political parties must take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters.
Beyond campaign promises
As political activities increase ahead of 2027, Nigerians will be looking beyond campaign promises and political endorsements. They will also be watching how political parties and security agencies respond to violence.
The attack in Katsina may be one incident, but it reflects a problem that has appeared repeatedly in Nigeria’s electoral history.
From the violence that followed the 2011 elections to attacks recorded during the 2019 and 2023 election cycles, the country has repeatedly faced the consequences of political disagreements turning physical.
The challenge is ensuring that the 2027 elections do not follow the same pattern.
Nigerians should be able to support candidates, attend rallies, travel on public roads and vote without worrying about being attacked because of their political choices.
Democracy should allow people to disagree over who governs them. It should never make violence the price of participating in that decision.
