The National Peace Committee (NPC) says the National Peace Accord signed by 19 political parties on 18 August 2027 is already being tested, with 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory recording 109 violations in the first ten weeks of the campaign period (19 August – 27 October). The breaches, which the NPC warns could jeopardise the credibility of the 2027 general elections, span political violence, intimidation, fake news and other non‑violent tactics.
According to the NPC’s monitoring report, political violence and thuggery accounted for 33 incidents (30.3 % of the total), while misinformation and disinformation were reported in 29 cases (26.6 %). Attacks on political activities and campaign assets made up 19 incidents (17.4 %) and intimidation or threats were recorded in 15 cases (13.8 %). The remaining violations included restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly (seven incidents), inflammatory statements (four), an intra‑party conflict (one) and voter inducement (one). Over half of the incidents (57) did not involve physical attacks, highlighting the growing impact of intimidation and false information.
Kaduna registered the highest number of breaches, with nine incidents, while Edo, Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory each logged seven. The NPC singled out Enugu, Oyo, Edo and Cross River as needing urgent attention because of recurring armed disruptions, and flagged Benue and Kogi over security risks linked to political convoys and movements.
Specific episodes cited in the report include the September 8 obstruction of former Anambra governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy near Makurdi, Benue; repeated armed disruptions of NDC and PDP gatherings in Enugu between September and October; gunmen breaking up a PDP consultation in Calabar South, Cross River on 2 October; the shooting of an African Democratic Congress supporter in Igueben, Edo on 6 October; and violent clashes during a political procession in Ibadan, Oyo between 14‑17 October that reportedly claimed one life and led to the killing of an APC ward member days later.
The committee also documented 15 intimidation incidents involving political office‑holders, such as an alleged threat by an APC state chairman to use AK‑47 fire against opponents, a Taraba local government chairman warning civil servants against voting for other candidates, and an APC‑affiliated lawmaker in Oyo urging Muslim voters to reject Christian candidates. Additional reports included a Yobe party official advising women to leave husbands who disagreed with the official’s preferred party, and attempts to exploit religious and family ties to sway votes.
With presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for 16 January 2027 and governorship and state assembly polls set for 6 February 2027, the NPC cautions that the spread of misinformation, restrictions on expression and other non‑violent tactics could undermine citizens’ ability to make independent political choices before election day.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
