The National Peace Committee has uncovered 109 violations of the National Peace Accord across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), raising concerns about growing political violence, intimidation and misinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, identified several states where repeated attacks, armed disruptions and threats against political actors could undermine peaceful campaigns and electoral activities.
According to its latest monitoring report, the violations were recorded between August 19 and October 27, covering the first 10 weeks of political activities ahead of the elections.
Kaduna recorded the highest number of incidents with nine, while Edo, Enugu and the FCT followed with seven incidents each.
The report identified political violence and thuggery, alongside misinformation and disinformation, as the most frequently recorded violations.
It warned that the increasing incidents could threaten political participation and create an atmosphere of fear among candidates, party supporters and ordinary Nigerians.
The National Peace Committee disclosed that the 109 violations amounted to an average of approximately 11 incidents every week.
Political violence and thuggery accounted for 33 cases, representing 30.3 per cent of the total. Misinformation and disinformation followed with 29 incidents, representing 26.6 per cent.
Attacks on political activities and campaign materials accounted for another 19 incidents, while intimidation and threats recorded 15 cases.
The report stated that “33 incidents of political violence and thuggery, representing 30.3 per cent of the total, while 29 cases of misinformation and disinformation accounted for 26.6 per cent.
“Attacks on political activities and campaign assets accounted for 19 incidents, representing 17.4 per cent, while intimidation and threats recorded 15 cases, or 13.8 per cent.”
Other 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.
The committee observed that the four leading categories accounted for 96 of the 109 recorded violations, representing 88 per cent of all incidents documented during the monitoring period.
It further disclosed that physical attacks were not involved in more than half of the reported cases.
According to the report, “The four leading categories accounted for 88 per cent, representing 96 of the 109 breaches recorded during the monitoring period. And 57 incidents, representing 52 per cent of the total, did not involve physical attacks”.
The committee warned that political intimidation, false information, inflammatory statements and restrictions on lawful gatherings could weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
It added that such developments could prevent voters from freely expressing their political preferences before election day.
Among the states identified as requiring closer attention are Kaduna, Edo, Enugu, Cross River, Kogi, Borno, Oyo, Taraba and Ebonyi.
The report also highlighted several incidents involving political gatherings and movements across the country.
One of the cases involved the obstruction of the convoy of former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, near Makurdi, Benue State, on September 8.
In Enugu State, the committee documented repeated disruptions of political meetings and gatherings involving the NDC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Some of the incidents reportedly involved armed individuals who disrupted party activities and targeted political premises between September and October.
Another incident occurred in Calabar South, Cross River State, where gunmen reportedly disrupted a PDP consultation meeting on October 2.
Four days later, an African Democratic Congress (ADC) supporter was reportedly shot during political activities in Igueben, Edo State.
The committee also recorded deadly political violence in Oyo State.
According to the report, violence during a political procession in Ibadan between October 14 and 17 resulted in one death. An APC ward member was also reportedly killed days after the incident.
The report noted that allegations linking a local government official to the violence were denied.
Beyond physical attacks, the National Peace Committee expressed concern over threats allegedly made by political office-holders and party officials against individuals who refused to support their political interests.
It documented 15 incidents of intimidation and threats across several states, including Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi and the FCT.
Among the cases highlighted was an alleged threat by an APC state chairman to unleash AK-47 fire on individuals obstructing an electoral target.
The committee also cited 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.
Religious and family relationships were also identified as tools allegedly being used to influence political decisions.
In Oyo State, the report cited an alleged appeal by an APC-affiliated lawmaker urging Muslim voters to reject Christian candidates.
A separate incident in Yobe State involved a party official who reportedly advised women to leave their husbands if they supported a different political party.
The committee warned that attempts to use religion, family relationships and public office to influence voting decisions could undermine citizens’ freedom to participate in the democratic process.
It also raised concerns about restrictions on political expression and peaceful gatherings.
Seven incidents were documented under this category. They included the arrest and subsequent charging of individuals in Borno State over shirts carrying anti-government messages.
Another incident involved the police dispersal of a political support-group procession in Akwa Ibom State.
The committee maintained that citizens should be allowed to express political opinions and participate in peaceful gatherings without unnecessary interference.
On misinformation, the report identified fabricated newspaper headlines, manipulated campaign materials, recycled videos and forged documents as some of the methods being used to spread false political information.
It documented 29 incidents involving misleading political content, including fabricated statements attributed to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Old campaign videos were reportedly circulated again to create the impression that political events and endorsements had recently taken place.
The committee also identified forged letters purportedly relating to President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi, as well as fake newspaper front pages carrying political statements that were never made by the individuals concerned.
It warned that “The circulation of false political content could distort public debate, damage reputations and deepen mistrust among political groups.”
The monitoring report further disclosed that 30 incidents originated from online platforms. Many of the cases could not be traced to a particular state because the content circulated across different locations.
The committee also examined the involvement of political parties in the reported violations, distinguishing between parties identified as alleged perpetrators and those targeted in the incidents.
It stated, “The All Progressives Congress was an actor in 24 incidents and a target in 23, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was identified as an actor in four incidents and a target in 28 cases.
“The African Democratic Congress was named as an actor in two incidents and targeted in 15, while the PDP featured as an actor in four cases and a target in six incidents.
“The Allied People’s Movement was identified as an actor in one incident and targeted in two, while the Accord, Action Alliance and All Progressives Grand Alliance were targeted in an incident.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the National Peace Committee identified five major threats that require immediate attention.
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.
Enugu, Oyo, Edo and Cross River were particularly highlighted over recurring incidents involving armed disruptions of political activities.
Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi and the FCT were also identified over reported threats and intimidation involving public office-holders.
Benue and Kogi were flagged because of potential security risks surrounding political convoys and movements.
To prevent further escalation, the committee recommended a four-stage response involving independent verification of reported incidents, protection of lawful political participation, institutional and party responses, as well as transparent investigations and accountability.
It urged political parties and their candidates to publicly reject violence and ensure that their supporters do not engage in intimidation or attacks against opponents.
The committee also called on party leaderships to distance themselves from armed groups and take disciplinary action against members involved in activities capable of threatening peaceful elections.
It urged security agencies, particularly the police, to provide equal protection for all political parties and candidates during rallies, meetings and other lawful campaign activities.
The police were also asked to investigate reported attacks and regularly provide information on the progress of investigations to prevent cases from being abandoned without accountability.
The committee further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 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.
It stressed that public institutions must provide accurate information when communicating about reported electoral offences.
The committee specifically warned against presenting allegations, arrests and charges as though they were established convictions.
The National Peace Committee maintained that the credibility of the National Peace Accord would depend on the willingness of political parties, candidates and public institutions to honour their commitments.
