Fears of escalating political violence ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections are mounting as attacks, threats and disruptions linked to political activities increasingly dominate the pre-election environment.
The latest incident was the blockade of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Benue State, where suspected political thugs stopped his convoy on the Makurdi-Gboko road on Tuesday as he travelled to Yelwata to commiserate with victims of the 2025 killings.
Police said 46 suspects were arrested after the incident created a situation that could have degenerated into violence. The incident followed a series of troubling developments in 2026.
In May, thugs attacked delegates and journalists during a factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gathering in Abuja, disrupting the meeting.
In July, violence erupted at an APC Delta Central stakeholders’ meeting in Effurun, where a protocol aide to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was reportedly chased and assaulted with bottles and chairs.
