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Nigeria’s democracy is facing an ugly test ahead of the 2027 general election. Barely has the political atmosphere begun to gather momentum for the elections than disturbing reports of attacks on opposition parties, disruption of campaign activities, intimidation of political opponents and alleged attempts to shrink the democratic space have started emerging from different parts of the country. These developments are not only alarming but also represent a dangerous assault on the principles of democracy and the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
Across the country, opposition political parties have raised concerns about what they describe as a growing pattern of hostility against their members and candidates. They have alleged that political thugs are being deployed to disrupt their rallies, that security agencies are failing to provide adequate protection, and that some state governments are imposing prohibitive outdoor advertising rates to frustrate their efforts to publicise their candidates and programmes, among others.
The allegations are particularly disturbing because they are coming at a time when Nigerians should be witnessing an expansion, not a contraction, of democratic freedoms as the country approaches another crucial electoral contest.
In Sokoto State, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) recently accused the state government of sealing one of its campaign offices, restricting accommodation arrangements for its delegates and allowing attacks on female supporters during a campaign activity.
In Rivers State, the ADC and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) raised the alarm over alleged intimidation and attempts to restrict the political activities of opposition figures.
In Ekiti State, the African Action Congress (AAC) and other opposition groups have reported incidents of targeted intimidation and attacks, including an incident involving the party’s presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
In Cross River State, the campaign convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was reportedly attacked by suspected thugs in Calabar.
In Niger State, opposition parties have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the advantages of incumbency to obstruct and frustrate their campaign activities.
Taken together, these allegations paint a troubling picture of a political environment in which some opposition parties feel increasingly threatened, constrained and disadvantaged. While every allegation must be independently investigated and established before conclusions are drawn, the frequency and geographical spread of these complaints should be sufficient to provoke serious concern among Nigerians, democratic institutions and the international community.
Nigeria cannot afford to trivialise these developments or dismiss them as the familiar complaints of politicians seeking public sympathy. The country’s democracy has survived 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule. Rather than allowing it to mature into a system in which political competition is governed by tolerance, fairness and respect for the rule of law, it would be a grave national tragedy if the country began sliding towards a political culture in which intimidation and violence determine who can participate in elections.
One of the defining features of democracy is the freedom of citizens and political parties to compete for political power without intimidation, harassment or fear of persecution. Opposition parties have an equal constitutional right to organise, mobilise supporters, hold rallies, advertise their candidates, canvass for votes and present alternative visions of governance. These are not privileges to be granted at the discretion of the ruling party. They are fundamental democratic rights.
The opposition is not an enemy of the state. Neither is it an unwanted guest in the democratic process. It is an indispensable component of representative government. Its existence provides citizens with alternatives, holds those in power accountable and offers the electorate the opportunity to make informed choices. A democracy without a viable opposition is, at best, an incomplete democracy. At worst, it is a dictatorship masquerading as representative government.
It is, therefore, completely unacceptable for supporters of a ruling party to resort to violence, threats, harassment or the disruption of opposition rallies simply because they disagree with the political choices of their opponents. Political disagreement is not a licence for lawlessness. Electoral competition does not confer on any political group the authority to prevent another from exercising its constitutional rights.
More troubling is the possibility that government officials or state institutions may be used, directly or indirectly, to frustrate opposition activities. This is where the danger becomes particularly grave. When political thugs attack opponents, they commit crimes. But when public institutions are allegedly deployed to achieve similar objectives, the consequences go beyond individual criminality. They strike at the very foundation of constitutional democracy.
Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right of every citizen to assemble freely and associate with others, including the right to form or belong to political parties. The Electoral Act 2026 also provides safeguards against violence and intimidation during political campaigns and places obligations on relevant authorities to protect the electoral process. These provisions are not decorative constitutional statements. They are safeguards designed to prevent the abuse of power, political oppression and the manipulation of democratic competition.
The Police and other security agencies must, therefore, rise above partisan considerations and demonstrate unquestionable professionalism. Their constitutional responsibility is to protect every Nigerian and maintain law and order, not to protect the political fortunes of the ruling party. They must provide opposition parties with the same level of security afforded to the APC and other parties in government. They must investigate attacks, threats and acts of intimidation and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, irrespective of their political connections.
Equally disturbing are the fears being expressed by opposition personalities about possible attempts to manipulate the 2027 general election. Reports of political actors boasting that they will deliver particular states or electoral territories to the ruling APC, regardless of the preferences of voters, should not be treated lightly. Political confidence is legitimate, but suggestions that electoral outcomes are predetermined or that public institutions can be mobilised to guarantee victory are deeply damaging to democratic confidence.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has an enormous responsibility in this regard. The commission must understand that the credibility of the 2027 elections will depend not only on its eventual declaration of results but also on public confidence in every stage of the electoral process. INEC must demonstrate independence, transparency and impartiality. Its decisions must inspire confidence across the political spectrum. It must not merely conduct elections that it considers credible but also conduct elections whose integrity is beyond reasonable suspicion.
President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the APC also have a special responsibility to demonstrate that their commitment to democracy is genuine. It is not enough for the President to profess faith in democratic values while members and supporters of his party are accused of intimidating political opponents. He must demonstrate, through concrete actions, that he is committed to an electoral contest in which the APC can win or lose based on the free choice of Nigerians.
The APC leadership must also call its members and supporters to order. It must condemn political thuggery and make it clear that electoral victory achieved through violence, intimidation or abuse of state power is neither honourable nor sustainable. A ruling party that is confident of its performance should have no reason to fear opposition rallies, alternative political narratives or the free mobilisation of voters.
There is, however, a responsibility on the opposition parties as well. They must remain committed to peaceful political engagement, responsible rhetoric and respect for the law. They must resist the temptation to respond to provocation with violence or inflammatory statements. Allegations of intimidation, obstruction and electoral manipulation should be properly documented and reported to the police, INEC, the courts and relevant independent observers. Opposition parties must demonstrate that their commitment to democracy is as strong as their determination to win political power.
Nigeria has paid a heavy price for electoral violence, political intolerance and the manipulation of democratic institutions. The country’s history is replete with examples of how political desperation, the abuse of incumbency and the determination to win elections at all costs have weakened public institutions and undermined the legitimacy of governments.
The 2027 general election must not become another chapter in that unfortunate history. It should be an opportunity to deepen democratic institutions, strengthen public confidence and demonstrate that political power in Nigeria is acquired through the free and informed choice of voters.
There is also a broader national interest at stake. A political environment characterised by intimidation, uncertainty and institutional partisanship will deepen public distrust, discourage political participation and weaken confidence in Nigeria’s democratic future. It will also send the wrong signal to investors, international partners and the global community about the country’s commitment to the rule of law and political stability.
No government should be so desperate to retain power that it becomes uncomfortable with the existence of opposition parties. No political party should be so intolerant that it regards alternative political views as a threat to national security. And no public institution should be so compromised that it abandons its constitutional responsibilities to serve the interests of those in power.
The 2027 elections must be a contest of ideas, programmes, records and the capacity of candidates to persuade Nigerians. They must not be a contest of who controls more thugs, commands greater influence over security agencies or enjoys greater access to the coercive instruments of government.
The message to the ruling party, opposition parties, security agencies and electoral authorities must be unequivocal: Let the opposition campaign. Let political parties compete. Let candidates sell their programmes to Nigerians. Protect every legitimate political gathering. Investigate every act of intimidation. Punish every perpetrator, regardless of political affiliation. Above all, let the Nigerian people, through their votes, determine who governs them.
The ballot must prevail over brute force. The Constitution must triumph over political expediency. The will of the people must tower above the ambitions of any individual or political party. Anything less would be a betrayal of democracy and a dangerous assault on the Nigerian people’s sovereign right to choose their leaders.
