By Our Correspondent
Growing political violence across Nigeria has sparked serious concerns about the stability of the country’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Opposition parties and political stakeholders have raised alarms over alleged attacks targeting their leaders, supporters, party offices and political gatherings in several states.
Recent incidents have reportedly occurred in Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Kogi, Edo and Rivers states, intensifying fears that the political environment may become increasingly volatile long before the official campaign season begins.
Major opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, the New Nigeria People’s Party and the Labour Party, have condemned the attacks.
They claim the incidents are part of an alleged strategy by the ruling All Progressives Congress to intimidate political rivals and weaken opposition structures ahead of the next national polls.
However, the APC has denied the accusations, insisting the violence stems largely from internal disputes within opposition parties rather than any orchestrated political intimidation.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the attacks were part of a wider effort to manipulate the political landscape before the 2027 elections.
According to him, several opposition gatherings and party offices have been targeted in recent weeks, including incidents in Edo and Rivers states.
Abdullahi said the party was documenting the incidents and planned to report them to international institutions, including regional and global bodies, as part of efforts to draw attention to what he described as a troubling trend in Nigeria’s political space.
Similarly, the PDP accused government agencies of failing to act decisively against perpetrators of political violence.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, argued that comments attributed to national leaders celebrating opposition crises could embolden individuals seeking to undermine rival political groups.
The Labour Party also expressed concern over the escalating tensions, urging political actors to exercise restraint.
Party leaders warned that continued attacks on political gatherings and supporters could damage public confidence in the electoral process and threaten peaceful elections.
Political tensions were further highlighted by reported attacks on party offices in Edo State and alleged assaults on political convoys in Rivers State.
In Oyo State, violence during a political gathering also raised fears of escalating rivalries ahead of the next election cycle.
While the APC maintains that opposition parties are politicising isolated criminal acts, political analysts warn that the growing pattern of attacks could heighten instability if security agencies fail to intervene decisively.
Stakeholders are therefore urging law enforcement authorities to ensure a safe and peaceful political environment as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
