The Centre for Security further warned that democracy cannot thrive in an environment governed by fear.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The African Centre for Security, Governance and Development (CentreSGD) has revealed that 27 people died as a result of 70 physical election-related attacks across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over a 10-month period.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday, 8 November, by the Executive Director of the centre, Theresa Chigozirim Odinkalu-Okoro.
According to her, the alleged politically motivated attacks took place across the country between 1 January and 27 October 2026.
She warned that the incidents reflect escalating political violence that threatens the credibility of the 2027 general elections, as attacks on candidates, supporters, campaign convoys, and party offices continue to heighten security concerns.
Citing the CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Threat Assessment and Yiaga Africa’s National Voting Intentions Survey conducted in September 2026, CentreSGD stated that 61 per cent of Nigerians feared violence could prevent them from voting.
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The figure was higher in the North East, where 78 per cent of respondents expressed similar concerns.
Among the incidents highlighted were attacks on Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters in Enugu, ambushes on APC campaign convoys in Malumfashi and Yankara, Katsina State, and the assault on African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and his entourage in Ado-Ekiti.
Odinkalu-Okoro also cited allegations of attacks on the ADC governorship candidate’s convoy in Sokoto and ADC campaign convoys, including that of presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, in Kebbi State.
The centre, however, acknowledged that some of the allegations had been disputed by the parties and authorities involved, stressing that it was not pronouncing on culpability but calling for thorough investigations and prosecution where evidence warranted.
CentreSGD urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to investigate all election-related attacks promptly, transparently, and without political bias, ensuring those responsible and their sponsors are prosecuted.
“Elections should be a contest of ideas and popular mandate, not a test of physical force or armed coercion,” the centre said.
