EU Raises Alarm Over Election Violence, Hate Speech Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Polls

The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over growing cases of political violence, hate speech and intimidation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, warning that such incidents could weaken democratic institutions and discourage voter participation.

EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, raised the concern during the opening session of the Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders Forum on the State of Human Rights in Abuja.

He cited reports of attacks on political supporters and campaign convoys, including incidents in Katsina, Cross River and Delta states.

In Katsina, supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were reportedly attacked while travelling to a campaign flag-off in Funtua in October, leaving a female passenger injured and several vehicles damaged. Police subsequently announced 14 arrests.

Similarly, the convoy of former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was reportedly attacked in Calabar, Cross River State, on November 4, 2026.

Another political attack occurred on November 7 in Asaba, Delta State, where one person was reportedly killed and five others injured during a procession organised by NDC supporters.

The National Peace Committee also disclosed that it had recorded 60 election-related incidents within one month, involving violence, intimidation and threats.

Mignot warned that attacks on political participants and restrictions on civic freedoms could undermine public confidence in elections.

He stressed that independent media, peaceful assembly, civil society organisations and open political debates were essential to ensuring transparent and credible elections.

The EU ambassador reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), while clarifying that its objective was not to interfere in the country’s electoral process.

Meanwhile, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu, warned that intimidation, hate speech, voter suppression and attacks on journalists could create fear, apathy and distrust among citizens.

He also expressed concern over alleged harassment of journalists and human rights defenders, arbitrary arrests and the misuse of legal provisions against freedom of expression.

Ojukwu called for accountability for electoral offences, warning that failure to prosecute offenders could encourage further violations.

Similarly, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Yusuf Dantalle, urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace peaceful, issue-based campaigns.

He warned that political competition must not degenerate into hostility, stressing that opponents should be treated as competitors rather than enemies.

IPAC also called for an end to electoral violence, hate speech, voter intimidation and other practices capable of threatening peaceful elections in 2027.