2027 Elections: Lawyer Warns Political Intimidation, Attacks on Opposition Threaten Nigeria’s Democracy

A constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has warned that political intimidation and attacks on opposition figures pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ahiakwo said democracy would lose its meaning if citizens became afraid to express opposing views, support political parties of their choice or hold elected officials accountable.

The lawyer made the remarks while speaking with journalists in Calabar on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that political opposition should not be interpreted as disloyalty to the country.

He maintained that criticism of government policies or political office holders should not expose citizens to threats, harassment or violence, adding that the use of public authority to silence dissent amounted to an attack on constitutional democracy.

To support his position, Ahiakwo cited Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, including the right to belong to political parties.

He also referenced Sections 33, 34 and 42, which protect the rights to life, human dignity and freedom from discrimination, including discrimination based on political opinion.

According to him, these constitutional rights are not privileges that political leaders can grant or withdraw at their discretion. He insisted that no government or political organisation has the authority to undermine citizens’ rights because of their political affiliations.

Ahiakwo further cited the Court of Appeal judgment in Inspector-General of Police v. All Nigeria Peoples Party & Ors. (2007), which upheld the right to peaceful political assembly and rejected arbitrary restrictions on political rallies.

Expressing concern over recent political developments in Cross River and Kebbi States, he said allegations of intimidation and attacks against political actors should be subjected to impartial investigation. He added that political coalitions and realignments were legitimate democratic activities and should not become tools for suppressing dissent.

The lawyer also warned that allegations of anti-party activities should be addressed through established party procedures rather than threats or coercion.

He urged security agencies to remain neutral as the 2027 elections approach and called on political leaders to exercise restraint while ensuring that politically motivated violence is investigated and perpetrators prosecuted, regardless of their political affiliations.

Ahiakwo also encouraged opposition parties to conduct their political activities peacefully and within the law, warning that normalising intimidation could worsen insecurity, deepen divisions and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.

He stressed that Nigeria must not become a country where citizens are free to vote but afraid to express their political convictions, insisting that the Constitution must remain above the interests of those temporarily holding political power.