2027 polls: 109 peace accord breaches recorded in ten weeks

Detailed summary

The National Peace Committee has revealed that 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory recorded 109 breaches of the National ...

The National Peace Committee has revealed that 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory recorded 109 breaches of the National Peace Accord over a 10-week monitoring period, raising serious concerns over potential threats to peaceful campaigns and the 2027 general elections.

According to the monitoring report covering August 19 to October 27, political violence, thuggery, misinformation, and disinformation are the leading violations, accounting for 33 and 29 incidents respectively. Kaduna, Edo, and Enugu were identified as major election flashpoints due to recurring political violence and security concerns, with the FCT recording seven incidents and Kaduna leading with nine.

The 109 recorded breaches represent an average of about 11 incidents weekly. Political violence and thuggery account for 33 incidents (30.3 percent), while 29 cases of misinformation and disinformation represent 26.6 percent. Attacks on political activities and campaign assets accounted for 19 incidents (17.4 percent), and intimidation and threats recorded 15 cases (13.8 percent).

Additional violations included seven restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, four inflammatory statements, one intra-party conflict, and one case of voter inducement. Notably, 57 incidents representing 52 percent of the total did not involve physical attacks, though the committee warned that false information and divisive rhetoric heavily undermine information integrity.

In a related development, Joash Amupitan, the INEC chairman, admonished members of the 2027 Election Petition Tribunals to avoid technicalities that undermine substantive justice, insisting that the truth of the ballot must prevail in resolving electoral disputes. Speaking in Abuja at a workshop organised by the Court of Appeal, Amupitan stressed that Nigeria’s post-election political stability depends on judicial courage and transparency.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Haruna, the INEC national commissioner, warned political leaders and the media…

The…

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