RULAAC seeks Tinubu, INEC interventions to emerging threats to 2027 elections
L-R: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NDC Presidential Candidate Peter Obi, ADC Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, SDP Presidential Candidate Adewole Adebayo.
L-R: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NDC Presidential Candidate Peter Obi, ADC Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, SDP Presidential Candidate Adewole Adebayo.
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security and law-enforcement agencies to respond to the emerging signs of political intimidation and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group expressed concerns that recent incidents and allegations across several states point to warning signs that should not be ignored until election day.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC identified inflammatory or threatening political rhetoric; reported disruption of opposition political meetings; obstruction of the movement of political actors; allegations of discriminatory interference with campaign materials; and reported threats of physical violence against political opponents as some unsavoury developments trailing the elections.
It said that a credible election cannot be secured merely by deploying thousands of armed personnel to polling units after months of threats, intimidation, political violence and impunity have already restricted political participation.
RULAAC, which recalled provisions of the Electoral Act, said it expressly prohibits the organisation or equipping of groups for the use of force or coercion for political purposes and prohibits threats of force or violence intended to compel citizens to support, or refrain from supporting, political parties or candidates.
The group therefore urged the President to give an unequivocal directive for institutional neutrality.
“President Tinubu bears responsibilities not only as a candidate and leader of the ruling party but, more importantly, as President of the Federal Republic. He should publicly reaffirm that no governor, minister, local government chairman, party official, candidate or political supporter will receive protection from investigation or prosecution where credible evidence of electoral violence, threats or intimidation exists”, it said
It asked the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to investigate credible threats before they become violence, adding that political neutrality must become the operational standard for election policing.
RULAAC also asked INEC to strengthen its monitoring and early-warning role, saying that political parties must be held to their commitments under the National Peace Accord.
