2027 Elections: 109 Peace Accord Violations Recorded in 26 States, FCT – NPC

ARTICLE

The National Peace Accord signed by political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections is facing growing pressure, with 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory recording 109 violations within 10 weeks, according to the National Peace Committee (NPC).

In its latest monitoring report covering August 19 to October 27, the committee warned that political violence, intimidation, armed disruptions and the spread of misinformation could undermine peaceful campaigns and threaten the credibility of the elections.

Political violence and thuggery accounted for the highest number of violations, with 33 reported incidents. Misinformation and disinformation followed with 29 cases, while attacks on political activities and campaign materials accounted for 19 incidents. Intimidation and threats recorded another 15 cases.

Kaduna recorded the highest number of violations, with nine incidents, while Edo, Enugu and the FCT each recorded seven. The committee identified Enugu, Oyo, Edo and Cross River as areas requiring urgent attention because of recurring armed disruptions. Benue and Kogi were also flagged over security concerns involving political convoys and movements.

The report comes less than three months after 19 political parties signed the National Peace Accord in Abuja on August 18, pledging to conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns and reject violence, threats and intimidation. Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6.

According to the committee, the 109 incidents represented an average of about 11 violations weekly. The four leading categories accounted for 96 cases, representing 88 per cent of the total. The remaining violations included seven incidents involving restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, four inflammatory statements, one intra-party conflict and one case of voter inducement.

The committee noted that 57 incidents, representing 52 per cent of the total, did not involve physical attacks. It warned that intimidation, misinformation, restrictions on expression and other non-violent tactics could influence voters’ decisions and undermine their freedom to make independent political choices.

Among the incidents highlighted was the September 8 obstruction of the convoy of former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi near Makurdi, Benue State. In Enugu, the report documented repeated armed disruptions of NDC and Peoples Democratic Party gatherings and party premises between September and October.

It also cited the October 2 disruption of PDP consultations by gunmen in Calabar South, Cross River State, and the reported shooting of an African Democratic Congress supporter during political engagements in Igueben, Edo State, on October 6.

In Oyo State, violence during a political procession in Ibadan between October 14 and 17 reportedly claimed one life. An APC ward member was also allegedly killed days later, although allegations linking a council official to the violence were denied.

The report further identified 15 incidents of intimidation and threats involving political office-holders and party officials. These included an alleged threat by an APC state chairman to unleash AK-47 fire on those obstructing an electoral target, as well as a warning by the chairman of Ibi Local Government Area in Taraba State against civil servants voting for candidates other than his preferred choice.

The committee also raised concerns over attempts to use religious and family affiliations to influence political decisions. It cited an alleged appeal by an APC-affiliated lawmaker in Oyo State urging Muslim voters to reject Christian candidates, as well as a report that a party official in Yobe State advised women to leave their husbands if they supported different political parties.

Misinformation was another major concern, with 29 recorded incidents involving fabricated newspaper headlines, recycled campaign footage, falsely attributed statements and forged documents. The report cited fabricated pledges attributed to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, as well as falsified letters purportedly concerning President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi. It added that 30 incidents originated online, with many difficult to assign to specific states because of their cross-border spread.

On political participation, the committee recorded seven incidents involving restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. These included the arrest and subsequent charging of men in Borno State for wearing shirts bearing anti-government messages, and the police dispersal of a political support-group march in Akwa Ibom State.

The report also examined the roles of political parties in the incidents. The All Progressives Congress featured as an actor in 24 incidents and a target in 23. The Nigeria Democratic Congress was identified as an actor in four incidents and a target in 28, while the African Democratic Congress featured as an actor in two incidents and a target in 15. The PDP was an actor in four incidents and a target in six.

Looking ahead, the committee identified five major risks to the 2027 elections: restricted access to campaigns, armed political mobilisation, coercion by public office-holders, information disorder and declining institutional credibility.

It recommended a four-stage response involving independent verification of reported incidents, protection of lawful political participation, institutional and party action, and transparent investigations with accountability.

The committee urged political leaders to condemn violence, disown armed groups and clarify threatening statements made by their officials. It also called on parties to discipline members found responsible for violations and correct false claims capable of escalating tensions.

Security agencies were urged to provide equal protection for lawful political gatherings, investigate organisers of violent incidents and regularly publish updates on investigations. The committee also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and relevant legal institutions to refer credible electoral offences under Sections 97, 120 and 125 of the Electoral Act for appropriate action.

It stressed that public institutions should clearly distinguish between complaints, arrests, charges and final court outcomes in their communications.

The NPC warned that the credibility of the National Peace Accord would depend not on the signatures of political parties but on their willingness to honour their commitments and the readiness of institutions to hold violators accountable.