Election threats are drawing fresh warnings from INEC and the police as Nigeria heads towards 2027. Both agencies say politicians who incite violence or intimidate voters will face legal action.
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force have vowed to act against politicians who issue threats or inflammatory statements as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC said it can sanction political parties and candidates for breaches of campaign rules, while the police warned that incitement is a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.
The warnings followed growing concerns over statements made by political actors across several states. Recent remarks attributed to politicians have included threats against opponents, warnings to voters and language that critics say could encourage violence or suppress participation in the electoral process.
INEC’s Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission has a statutory responsibility to monitor political campaigns and enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties. He said campaigns should provide a platform for competing ideas rather than create an atmosphere of fear.
The commission also pointed to sanctions available under the Electoral Act 2026. According to INEC, candidates found guilty of certain campaign-related offences can face a fine of up to N5 million or 12 months’ imprisonment, while political parties can face a N10 million fine for a first offence and N2 million for subsequent offences.
Newstridez’s review of the reported warnings shows that INEC considers intimidation broader than direct physical threats. The commission said political rhetoric could cross the line when it involves threats of force, economic punishment or social exclusion designed to compel voters, candidates or electoral officials to support or reject a political choice.
The Nigeria Police Force also promised tougher enforcement. Force Public Relations Officer Anietie Iniedu said police commands would receive further sensitisation on inciting and inflammatory comments before the elections.
Iniedu described incitement as a criminal offence and said the police would not spare people whose comments threaten public peace. He said suspects arrested over such statements would be investigated and, where appropriate, charged to court.
The police position comes after several incidents that have raised concern about the tone of political mobilisation across the country. In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde previously invoked the history of “Operation Wetie” while warning politicians involved in attempts to force defections. The reference recalled the political violence that engulfed the Western Region in the First Republic.
In another incident, former NNPP Board of Trustees secretary Buba Galadima was reported to have urged Nigerians to go to polling centres with bottles and jerry cans of kerosene during the 2027 elections. The remarks triggered concern because of the potential for such language to encourage confrontation at polling units.
Other controversial remarks have emerged from different parts of the country. The reports reviewed by Newstridez include allegations involving politicians in Osun, the Federal Capital Territory, Borno, Ebonyi and Yobe, with some statements targeting opposition supporters or warning citizens against political activities.
The issue became particularly sensitive in Osun after the August 15 governorship election. Lawyers and civil society groups demanded investigations into alleged threats and violence, including videos said to contain statements capable of intimidating voters or opposition supporters. The Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates called on INEC and the police to investigate the allegations.
One of the cases involved Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who was invited by the police after a video circulated showing remarks interpreted as threats against members of the Accord Party. His media office described the remarks as a political metaphor, while Fadahunsi also questioned the authenticity of the video, saying it was AI-generated.
The competing explanations demonstrate why investigators must establish the authenticity, context and circumstances surrounding controversial political recordings before determining whether an offence occurred. Civil society groups have urged authorities to authenticate videos, identify the people involved, interview relevant witnesses and investigate any connection between inflammatory statements and subsequent violence.
Samson Itodo, Executive Secretary of Yiaga Africa, said warnings alone would not be enough to deter politicians who violate electoral laws. He called for the arrest and prosecution of political actors whose statements cross the legal threshold, arguing that selective enforcement could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Itodo warned that unchecked political threats could produce more than heated campaign rhetoric. According to him, an atmosphere of fear can discourage people from going to polling units, reduce voter participation and prevent citizens from freely choosing their preferred candidates.
Human rights lawyer Jiti Ogunye also argued that threats by politicians should attract legal consequences. He said politicians should persuade voters through policies and ideas rather than use intimidation as a tool for winning or retaining political power.
Constitutional lawyer Victor Opatola added that political parties themselves should discipline members who make inflammatory statements. He argued that the failure of parties to sanction their members can contribute to a culture in which provocative political language carries little consequence.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, however, rejected suggestions that it encourages political violence. Its National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the party does not support violent campaigns or inflammatory language and would rather campaign on its achievements in government.
The controversy comes at a crucial stage of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 elections. Political parties are already mobilising supporters, selecting candidates and building alliances, while the competition for control of federal and state institutions is becoming increasingly intense.
The Electoral Act 2026 specifically prohibits threats and the use of force or violence during political campaigns. It also criminalises using or threatening force, violence, restraint, injury, damage or harm to influence how another person votes. A conviction under the relevant provision can attract a fine of N2 million or imprisonment for three years.
For voters, the enforcement of those provisions could become one of the most important tests of Nigeria’s preparations for 2027. A warning without prosecution may do little to discourage politicians who believe inflammatory rhetoric can strengthen their political base.
The police have now promised to investigate and prosecute where the law permits, while INEC says it will use its statutory powers against parties and candidates that violate campaign rules. The effectiveness of those commitments will depend on whether authorities apply them consistently across political parties and regions.
With campaign activity increasing, the pressure on security agencies and INEC is likely to grow. Civil society groups are already demanding faster action, arguing that early intervention could prevent political rhetoric from developing into violence during the election season.
INEC and the police have drawn a clear line against political threats, intimidation and incitement ahead of 2027. The next test will be whether politicians who cross that line face timely and consistent enforcement, regardless of their party or political influence.
