A DANGEROUS DIMENSION TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS

The political landscape in Nigeria is rapidly deteriorating, with parties and officials engaging in increasingly dangerous behavior. Senator in Osun State publicly called for the assassination of opponents, a council chairman in the Federal Capital Territory threatened residents with non-voting, and a Borno State commissioner promised to punish those who don't vote as he dictates.

The situation worsens as a governor threatens to remove local government officials who don't deliver votes for his party in the 2027 election. Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State even announced that failing to secure votes would result in removal. The 1999 constitution supposedly guarantees local government autonomy, but the Supreme Court ruling on this matter is undermined by the whims of state governors who appoint officials in rigged elections.

This lack of accountability allows politicians to serve the governors rather than the people. While local governance is crucial for human development, the current situation shows that their loyalty lies with political parties and not the citizens. The ruling All Progressives Congress leadership must intervene to stop these abusive practices.

However, the real danger lies in the normalization of violence and lawlessness, which could erode democratic freedoms and increase national insecurity. With these threats being unconstitutional, President Bola Tinubu must step in to prevent a descent into anarchy.