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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

2027: Violence looms as politicians threaten voters and opponents across Nigeria

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Political office holders in several Nigerian states have threatened voters, opponents and dissenters with violence, eviction or physical harm ahead of the 2027 elections.
  • Civil society groups, rights organisations and opposition politicians warn that the rhetoric could fuel renewed election-related violence.
  • In Yobe, APC chairman Mohammed Gadaka withdrew and apologised for urging women to divorce husbands who opposed voting for the party.

Nigeria’s political campaign season has opened with threats that opponents say could push the country toward another cycle of election violence. Since the Independent National Electoral Commission signalled the start of campaigning for the 2027 elections, highly placed politicians have been accused of intimidating voters and dissenting residents.

The threats have surfaced from Osun to the Federal Capital Territory, Borno, Kebbi and Ebonyi. Serving senators, commissioners, council chairmen and governors have appeared on camera or been directly quoted threatening citizens who refuse to support the ruling All Progressives Congress, according to the report. Civil society groups, rights organisations and opposition politicians have condemned the trend.

In Yobe, the rhetoric took an especially unusual turn. APC state chairman Mohammed Gadaka told hundreds of new party defectors in Nangere that married women should divorce husbands who stopped them from voting for the APC. He even promised to pay the “new bride price” for women who ended their marriages over party loyalty.

My statement was just a usual joking banter and does not in any way represent the ideals I stand for or intended to encourage divorce among married people.

· Mohammed GadakaThe Yobe APC chairman used the statement while withdrawing remarks that urged women to divorce husbands who opposed voting for the APC.

Residents, including Islamic scholars, called the remarks reckless and provocative. Gadaka later issued a 42-second video statement on Facebook, saying his words had been misunderstood and describing them as a “joking banter” linked to playful teasing between the Ngamo people and their Kare-Kare-speaking neighbours. “My statement was just a usual joking banter and does not in any way represent the ideals I stand for or intended to encourage divorce among married people,” he said. “I offer apologies for my statement, and I hereby withdraw it.”

The report also recalls remarks by Osun East Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi at an APC rally in Ilesa before the state’s last governorship election. Speaking in Yoruba, he said many APC members had been killed by Accord party members and was heard telling supporters to “kill them” with votes. The article excerpt ends as he continues speaking about the election.

I offer apologies for my statement, and I hereby withdraw it.

· Mohammed GadakaGadaka apologised after public backlash over his comments in Nangere.
About this summary

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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