Of Politicians Threatening Voters

In Nigeria, political tensions have escalated recently with politicians threatening voters in increasingly alarming ways. The language, once merely metaphorical, now includes explicit threats of violence and harm. In Osun, Senator Francis Fadahunsi was accused of telling APC supporters to "kill" members of the Accord Party in a viral video, though he later claimed the video was edited to distort his meaning.

In Kuje, an area council chairman allegedly instructed residents to vote for the APC or leave the area. In Borno, a state commissioner threatened to flog opponents and cut off the fingers of those who opposed the APC. In Ebonyi, the governor reportedly warned newly inaugurated local government chairmen that those who fail to deliver their councils to the APC in 2027 would be removed from office.

The most recent incident comes from Yobe, where the state APC chairman reportedly told women that if their husbands prevent them from voting for the APC, they should leave their marriages. The larger concern is the danger of political leaders' amplified voices, which can be heard by supporters, political thugs, and even those seeking validation on social media.

Nigeria's new Electoral Act, 2026, clearly prohibits threats of force or violence during political campaigns, carrying substantial penalties upon conviction. This law recognizes that intimidation is not merely campaign language but a violation of democratic principles. The Ebonyi episode highlights the importance of local government independence and the dangers of political coercion in these positions.

While not limiting the discussion to the APC, it is crucial to uphold democratic standards across all political parties. The media also has a responsibility to report these incidents without inadvertently becoming the distributors of inflammatory content.