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The National Peace Committee, chaired by former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has documented 109 violations of the National Peace Accord across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, raising concerns about the security of political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The findings, contained in the committee’s latest election monitoring report, cover a 10-week period between August 19 and October 27, 2026. The report identified political violence, thuggery, misinformation, disinformation, intimidation and attacks on political activities as some of the major threats to peaceful electioneering.
The committee warned that the growing number of reported violations could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and make it difficult for candidates, party supporters and ordinary Nigerians to participate freely in political activities.
The report comes at a time when political parties are intensifying preparations for the 2027 elections, with campaigning and political mobilisation already generating tensions in several parts of the country.
According to the findings, the 109 incidents represent an average of approximately 11 reported violations every week during the monitoring period. Kaduna recorded the highest number, with nine incidents, while Edo, Enugu and the Federal Capital Territory recorded seven each.
Other states identified in the monitoring exercise include Cross River, Kogi, Borno, Oyo, Taraba and Ebonyi. The committee expressed particular concern about locations where political meetings, processions and party activities have reportedly been disrupted by armed individuals or threatened by political intimidation.
The findings highlight the challenges facing Nigeria’s efforts to organise peaceful elections, particularly as political competition becomes more intense ahead of the next general election.
The report identified political violence and thuggery as the most frequently recorded category, accounting for 33 incidents, representing 30.3 per cent of the total. Misinformation and disinformation followed with 29 cases, equivalent to 26.6 per cent.
Attacks on political activities and campaign materials accounted for another 19 incidents, representing 17.4 per cent, while intimidation and threats recorded 15 cases, or 13.8 per cent.
Other reported violations included seven incidents involving restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, four inflammatory statements, one intra-party disagreement and one case of voter inducement.
Together, the four leading categories accounted for 96 of the 109 documented breaches, representing approximately 88 per cent of the total.
An important detail in the report is that not every violation involved physical violence. The committee disclosed that 57 incidents, representing 52 per cent of the total, did not involve physical attacks.
This suggests that threats to peaceful elections extend beyond direct confrontations between political groups. False information, intimidation, restrictions on political participation and inflammatory public statements can also create an environment in which voters become afraid to express their preferences.
The committee warned that these developments could weaken democratic participation even before Nigerians arrive at polling stations.
One of the incidents highlighted in the report involved the obstruction of the convoy of former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, near Makurdi in Benue State on September 8.
The committee also documented repeated disruptions of political gatherings and meetings involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State between September and October.
In Cross River State, gunmen reportedly disrupted a PDP consultation meeting in Calabar South on October 2. Four days later, an African Democratic Congress supporter was reportedly shot during political activities in Igueben, Edo State.
The report also identified incidents of deadly political violence in Oyo State. Violence during a political procession in Ibadan between October 14 and 17 reportedly resulted in one death. An APC ward member was also reportedly killed days after the incident.
The committee noted that allegations linking a local government official to the violence were denied.
These incidents illustrate the security concerns that can emerge when political disagreements move beyond peaceful competition. Campaign meetings, consultations and party processions are legitimate parts of democratic participation, but their disruption can restrict the ability of candidates and supporters to engage with voters.
The report therefore called for stronger protection of lawful political activities and investigations into reported attacks.
Another area of concern was the use of threats and intimidation by individuals holding political positions or exercising influence within political parties.
The committee recorded 15 incidents involving intimidation and threats across several states, including Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi and the Federal Capital Territory.
Among the cases cited was an alleged threat by an APC state chairman to use AK-47 rifles against individuals obstructing an electoral target. The report also referenced a statement attributed to the chairman of Ibi Local Government Area in Taraba State, who reportedly warned civil servants against voting for candidates other than his preferred choice.
Such allegations raise questions about the protection of voters from pressure by political office-holders and influential individuals.
The committee also expressed concern about reported attempts to use religion and family relationships to influence political choices. In Oyo State, it cited an alleged appeal by an APC-affiliated lawmaker urging Muslim voters to reject Christian candidates.
In another incident in Yobe State, a party official reportedly advised women to leave their husbands if they supported a different political party.
The committee warned that political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine personal relationships, religious tolerance or citizens’ constitutional freedom to choose their preferred candidates.
It also recorded seven incidents involving restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. These included the arrest and subsequent charging of individuals in Borno State over shirts carrying anti-government messages and the police dispersal of a political support-group procession in Akwa Ibom State.
The committee maintained that citizens should be able to express political opinions and participate in peaceful gatherings without unnecessary interference.
Misinformation and disinformation were also identified as major threats to the 2027 election environment.
According to the report, the monitoring team documented 29 incidents involving misleading political information. These included fabricated newspaper headlines, manipulated campaign materials, recycled videos, forged documents and false statements attributed to political figures.
The committee cited fabricated statements attributed to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, as well as falsified letters purportedly connected to President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi.
Old campaign videos were also reportedly circulated again to create the impression that political events or endorsements had recently taken place.
The committee warned that the circulation of false political content could damage reputations, distort public debate and deepen mistrust among supporters of different political parties.
It further disclosed that 30 incidents originated from online platforms. Many could not be assigned to a particular state because the content circulated across different geographical locations.
This presents an additional challenge for election monitoring because misleading political information can spread rapidly across social media platforms, reaching voters in different parts of the country before authorities have an opportunity to verify or correct it.
The committee’s findings also examined the involvement of political parties in the reported incidents. It distinguished between parties identified as alleged actors in violations and those targeted by the incidents.
The All Progressives Congress was identified as an actor in 24 incidents and a target in 23. The Nigeria Democratic Congress was listed as an actor in four incidents and a target in 28 cases.
The African Democratic Congress was identified as an actor in two incidents and a target in 15, while the Peoples Democratic Party featured as an actor in four cases and a target in six.
The Allied People’s Movement was listed as an actor in one incident and a target in two. The Accord, Action Alliance and All Progressives Grand Alliance were each identified as targets in one incident.
These figures describe the committee’s monitoring classifications and should not be interpreted as judicial findings of guilt against the parties or individuals mentioned.
Committee identifies major risks ahead of 2027 elections
Looking ahead, the National Peace Committee identified five major risks requiring urgent attention from political parties, security agencies and electoral institutions.
They include restricted access to campaign venues, armed political mobilisation, intimidation by public office-holders, the spread of false information and declining confidence in public institutions.
The committee identified Enugu, Oyo, Edo and Cross River as areas requiring particular attention because of recurring reports of armed disruptions during political activities.
Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi and the Federal Capital Territory were also highlighted over reported threats and intimidation involving political office-holders. Benue and Kogi were identified as locations where political convoys and movements could face security challenges.
The committee’s concerns are particularly significant because political campaigns are expected to become more intense as the January 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections approach.
Under the revised timetable published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The committee therefore believes that preventive measures must be introduced before political tensions escalate into more serious confrontations.
What the committee wants political parties and security agencies to do
To address the violations, the National Peace Committee recommended a four-stage response involving independent verification of reported incidents, protection of lawful political participation, institutional and party responses, and transparent investigations with accountability.
It urged political parties and their candidates to publicly condemn violence and ensure that supporters do not participate in intimidation, attacks or activities capable of disrupting peaceful campaigns.
Party leaderships were also encouraged to distance themselves from armed groups and take disciplinary action against members involved in conduct that threatens electoral peace.
The committee further called on security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to provide equal protection for all political parties and candidates during rallies, consultations, processions and other lawful activities.
It said reported attacks should be investigated properly, with regular updates provided on the progress of investigations to prevent cases from being abandoned without accountability.
The committee also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and relevant legal institutions to ensure that credible electoral offences are referred for appropriate action under Sections 97, 120 and 125 of the Electoral Act.
Another recommendation concerned how public institutions communicate allegations involving electoral offences.
The committee stressed that authorities must distinguish between complaints, allegations, arrests, charges and convictions when discussing reported incidents. This distinction is important because an allegation does not automatically establish that an individual has committed an offence.
The committee believes that transparent investigations and consistent enforcement of electoral laws are necessary to demonstrate that political violence and intimidation will not be tolerated.
National Peace Accord faces an important test
The latest findings have also renewed attention on the effectiveness of Nigeria’s National Peace Accord.
The National Peace Committee introduced the initiative ahead of the 2015 general elections to encourage presidential candidates and political parties to reject violence, respect democratic institutions and accept electoral outcomes through lawful processes.
Since then, the accord has remained an important part of efforts to reduce political tension during election periods.
On August 18, 2026, 19 political parties signed a fresh National Peace Accord in Abuja, committing themselves to 12 standards intended to promote peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
The commitments cover the rejection of violence, threats and intimidation, responsible use of digital platforms, truthful political communication, respect for electoral institutions and inclusive participation.
However, the discovery of 109 reported breaches within 10 weeks has raised questions about how effectively those commitments are being implemented.
Signing an agreement establishes expectations, but its practical value depends on whether political parties, candidates and their supporters follow its provisions.
The committee’s monitoring exercise is therefore important because it provides an early indication of the challenges facing election preparations rather than waiting until polling day to assess the security situation.
Nigeria has experienced serious election-related violence in previous electoral cycles. Concerns about political intimidation, attacks on supporters and the circulation of false information have continued despite repeated peace initiatives.
For the 2027 elections, the challenge will be ensuring that political competition does not prevent citizens from exercising their democratic rights.
The National Peace Committee has called for sustained engagement with political parties and public institutions, emphasising that responsibility for peaceful elections cannot rest on one organisation alone.
INEC is responsible for organising and supervising elections, while security agencies must protect voters, candidates, electoral officials and observers. Political parties also have a responsibility to control their supporters and ensure that campaign activities remain peaceful.
The committee’s latest report makes clear that preventing electoral violence requires action before incidents become widespread. Investigating threats, protecting political gatherings, correcting misinformation and holding offenders accountable will be important steps in maintaining public confidence.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the 109 documented breaches represent an early warning that Nigeria’s preparations must extend beyond electoral timetables and political campaigns to include the safety and freedom of every eligible voter.
The full report and its recommendations are available for further scrutiny through the National Peace Committee’s monitoring process, while Nigerians can follow official election updates through the Independent National Electoral Commission.
For continuing coverage of Nigeria’s political and economic developments, readers can also follow BusinessTech Nigeria.
