Why is nobody talking about violence and intimidation, which has become a key factor in deciding elections in Nigeria?
By George Onmonya Daniel
From the inception of the fourth Republic in Nigeria since 1999, violence and intimidation have become normalised in the Nigerian election. Under the watch of cameras, supporters of politicians confidently unleash mayhem. With the amount of evidence available, no one gets punished. In many polling stations across the country, in all elections, intimidation and violence have been the key determinants in how elections are won and lost.
As 2027 election campaign has already started, even though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has complained that such violates the commissions’ regulations, a close look at what is being discussed by most of the candidates who have interests in the job of president of Nigeria clearly indicates none of them really care about intimidation and violence against their supporters or the supporters of their political rivals. At least the three main contenders, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Gregory Obi, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, don’t seem perturbed about intimidation and violence, neither are governors, political parties, and other stakeholders.
Virtually all over the country, intimidation and violence have disenfranchised millions who would rather stay away from being part of elections. From campaign to the main election, it is hate speeches, intimidation, and open violence. In many cases, the Nigerian police and other security agencies are culpable.
The 2023 election in places like Lagos is a reminder of what this write-up is all about. Facing stiff competition after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lost Lagos State to Peter Obi, Governor Sanwo-Olu suddenly unleashed all the thugs to intimidate, harrass and unleash violence in areas where he knew he had no support. It was open intimidation and violence, both physically and verbally, on social media, targetting Peter Obi ethnic group, the Igbo. Lagos State government would use its X agents and its agents on other social media platforms to blackmail and subdue Igbos in Lagos. After the election, Sanwo-Olu was not done. He has continued to haunt Igbo interests in Lagos State after the 2023 election as a state policy.
Another notable violent spot in the 2023 election was Kano, where Kwankwaso and Ganduje, friends turned bitter enemies, used their supporters to unleash violence against each other, turning the whole State into choas but this is not just Kano and Lagos. It was virtually all over. When hereby some places, it was pockets of violence here and there, in other places, it was full-scale violence that was widely shared on social media, deterring many Nigerians from even venturing to participate in the process. In all of these elections, from the campaign to the grand finale, people end up losing their lives.
As the campaign for 2027 election kicks off unofficially, it is clear that nobody is looking at intimidation and violence and how it has affected the Nigerian electorate and elections over the years.
Not even Omoleye Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, human rights activists, presidential candidate, is talking about violence and intimidation and how it affects the Nigerian elections, or how will affect the 2027 election. No one is talking about the prosecution of those captured on videos. As long as people can get away with such, without repercussions and consequences, the Nigerian election would continue to be marred by violence.
