Winning Election by Manu Militari : Is Killing Accord Party Members not Self-defeatist?

Bola A. Akinterinwa, also known as Manu Militari, is a Latin phrase that translates to "with a military hand" or "by military force." In political terms, it refers to forcing someone to act against their will through military intervention. In the context of Nigerian politics, some candidates resort to election by manu militari, or electoral coercion, to win elections unfairly.

This method has been seen in numerous elections, including the Osun State gubernatorial election of 2026, where many people were killed before the election took place. Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi called for the killing of members of the Accord Party, raising questions about national security and damaging the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's democratic ideals.

Winning by coercion damages democracy and international trust, as it creates insecurity and instability. Coercive election engineering, or violent electoral engineering, is unacceptable to the international community, as legitimate elections are vital for democracy.