2027: Keyamo warns against violence in protecting votes

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has cautioned Nigerians against resorting to violence while protecting their votes during the 2027 general elections. This warning follows the intensifying political activities preceding the elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.

Keyamo's remarks are a response to former President Muhammadu Buhari's 2019 election warning against ballot-box snatching and electoral violence. Keyamo alleged that some politicians were encouraging violence by sending their children abroad while urging citizens to take up arms.

Keyamo reiterated the late President Buhari's stance from pre-2019 elections and emphasized that if individuals take up dangerous weapons to protect their votes, security forces have the right to neutralize them. The minister advised the public to heed this warning and exercise their voting options. The comments have generated controversy, with opposition figures and some lawyers criticizing the language as threatening to citizens, while the Presidency defends it as a warning to those who endanger voters and undermine elections.

INEC has been preparing for the 2027 elections and urged political parties and stakeholders to respect the electoral framework and promote peaceful elections.