Fury Unleashed: IGP Battles Electoral Violence, ADC Demands Police Accountability Ahead of 2027 Showdown

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vocally expressed deep concern over a reported surge in political violence targeting opposition parties in Nigeria, ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections. The party is demanding urgent accountability from the Nigeria Police Force regarding investigations into numerous attacks on its members and political gatherings nationwide. Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, made these demands at a press conference in Abuja, highlighting escalating political violence, voter intimidation, and the overall conditions under which the upcoming elections are expected to be conducted.

Abdullahi revealed that the ADC has meticulously documented a series of incidents occurring between July 2025 and September 2026. These incidents include attacks on political meetings, widespread destruction of party property, physical assaults on political participants, and direct threats against citizens based on their political preferences. States where these alleged incidents have been documented include Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi, and Enugu. While acknowledging that responsibility has not been conclusively established in every case, Abdullahi underscored that the alarming frequency of these reported attacks and the perceived inadequate response from law enforcement agencies pose a serious threat to the integrity of the 2027 elections. He firmly stated, “The Nigerian Police is not APC police; it is the police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” emphasizing that every Nigerian has a constitutional right to support a political party of their choice, and registered parties are entitled to organize meetings and conduct lawful activities without intimidation.

Several specific incidents were cited by the ADC spokesman to illustrate the gravity of the situation. These include a reported attack on the ADC secretariat in Benin City, Edo State, in February, and alleged gunshots fired at the residence of former Edo State governor and former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, during a gathering of political leaders. Abdullahi noted that the Edo State Police Command confirmed the attack on the ADC secretariat and the damage at Oyegun’s residence, announcing an investigation. However, the ADC claims it has yet to receive any information regarding arrests, prosecution, or the outcome of these investigations. Furthermore, the ADC alleged that one of its members, identified as Kamadiyoi, was killed during an attack on members preparing for a political meeting in Community Ward One, Odua Local Government Area of Rivers State. This incident, too, was reportedly reported to the police, but the party alleges a lack of significant action to bring the perpetrators to justice. Other incidents mentioned include armed men disrupting an opposition political gathering in Enugu, resulting in injuries, and another attack on ADC members preparing for meetings in two wards in Kogi State, leaving several injured and some still receiving treatment. The ADC called for thorough investigations into all reported incidents, including those allegedly involving private individuals and security personnel, stressing that "a record of repeated violence against lawful political activity demands serious government response, which we are not seeing."

Beyond direct violence, Abdullahi raised concerns about inflammatory comments attributed to members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He specifically highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s statement that “all is fair in politics,” urging the President to clarify this remark and publicly discourage any interpretation that could incite violence or intimidation against opposition parties. Similar concerns were voiced regarding controversial remarks attributed to APC Senator Francis Fadahunsi and the chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, with Abdullahi warning that such statements, left unaddressed, could escalate political tension. The ADC spokesman also alleged that opposition parties face significant difficulties in displaying campaign posters and billboards in Abuja and other parts of the country, arguing that equal opportunity for campaigning is fundamental to free and credible elections. The party is also closely monitoring the debate surrounding the proposed state police, expressing fears that it could be misused against opposition parties. Abdullahi also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its perceived silence on political violence, asserting that as an electoral umpire, INEC has a responsibility to intervene when violence threatens the ability of parties to participate freely in the electoral process. He questioned, "If we are concerned, INEC should be concerned because if you are an electoral umpire and you have promised to deliver free and fair election, and the table is being turned against a participant in the election, then you cannot claim to be fair.”

Despite these challenges, the ADC affirmed its commitment to peaceful and lawful means, asserting it would not encourage violence among its members. The party's National Chairman, Senator David Mark, has explicitly directed all ADC candidates and members to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, hate speech, and statements that could deepen ethnic or religious divisions. The ADC is meticulously maintaining a central record of all reported incidents, including dates, locations, witness accounts, photographs, videos, medical documentation, and complaints submitted to law enforcement agencies, stating, “We are keeping records. We are documenting every single incident.” The party intends to submit petitions to relevant authorities, seek judicial remedies where necessary, and engage institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission, the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, and the African Union. Abdullahi urged Nigeria’s international partners and election observers to focus on the pre-election environment, emphasizing that the credibility of the 2027 elections should be judged not solely by events on election day but also by whether political parties can organize meetings, campaign, and conduct lawful activities without intimidation. While acknowledging that the party is "getting close" to a point where members might be advised to defend themselves, Abdullahi reiterated their resolve to pursue lawful means to protect members, insisting the ADC is not seeking special treatment but simply the enforcement of existing laws protecting citizens and political parties. “We are aware that what we are doing is playing politics, but we know that even in the jungle there are rules,” he concluded, urging all stakeholders to ensure Nigerians can participate in politics without fear.

In response to the broader electoral climate, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has issued stern warnings to politicians, political parties, and their supporters against vote buying, electoral violence, intimidation, and any acts capable of undermining the credibility of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026) in Owerri, Imo State, IGP Disu called for enhanced professionalism, intelligence-led policing, and coordinated security operations. He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate actions that threaten peaceful participation in the electoral process, affirming the Force's commitment to remaining professional, impartial, and protective of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, echoed these sentiments, reiterating the Federal Government’s expectation that the police would uphold the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality. The President emphasized that "Every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location, must feel protected by the police," asserting that the police must operate as a national institution serving all Nigerians and protecting the constitutional order, not as an instrument of any political interest. He highlighted that the 2027 elections, with presidential and national assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections for February 6, 2027, demand meticulous preparation, professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led operations, and close coordination among security and electoral stakeholders. The President broadened the definition of election security beyond just protecting ballot papers and polling stations to include safeguarding citizens, electoral officials, and materials, while fostering an environment conducive to peaceful campaigning.

The IGP further directed senior police officers to activate intelligence and early-warning systems, strengthen joint operations with other security agencies, and ensure strict neutrality throughout the electoral cycle. He charged commissioners of police and other senior officers to prepare for the entire electoral process, not merely election day. Disu also assured that the approaching elections would not divert the Nigeria Police Force from its ongoing efforts against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and communal violence. He stated emphatically, “Kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence still cost Nigerians their lives and their peace of mind, and numbers do not console a grieving family. We will not slow down on these threats because an election is coming. We will fight them and secure the elections at the same time.” This dual commitment underscores the complex security landscape facing Nigeria as it approaches the 2027 general elections, with both political parties and law enforcement agencies recognizing the critical need for peace and order.