Get Guardian on Google• PDP warns of democracy collapse, urges Tinubu to rein in political violence
• Makinde urges Nigerians to embrace APM’s ‘Reset Nigeria’ agenda
African Centre for Security, Governance and Development (CentreSGD) yesterday raised the alarm over escalating political violence across Nigeria, warning that attacks on candidates, supporters and campaign activities threaten the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Consequently, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) warned that Nigeria is heading towards a dangerous political crisis that could undermine democratic governance. It urged President Bola Tinubu to condemn political violence and rein in culpable supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, urged Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the country’s economic, security and governance challenges to embrace the proposed ‘Reset Nigeria’ agenda of his party.
The Executive Director of CentreSGD, Theresa Odinkalu-Okoro, disclosed that 70 physical election-related attacks were recorded across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between January 1 and October 27, 2026, with 20 of the incidents resulting in 27 deaths, according to CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Threat Assessment.
CentreSGD stated yesterday that the rising violence posed a systemic threat to the electoral process, with fewer than 70 days remaining before the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
Citing Yiaga Africa’s September 2026 National Voting Intentions Survey, the centre said 61 per cent of Nigerians feared violence could prevent them from voting, with the figure rising to 78 per cent in the North-East.
She added that 84 per cent of respondents were likely or very likely to vote, while 83 per cent said improved security would encourage participation.
The Centre identified recent attacks in Enugu, Katsina, Ekiti, Sokoto and Kebbi, including the reported killing of an NDC supporter during a campaign flag-off in Enugu, attacks on APC convoys in Katsina, and the assault on AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in Ado-Ekiti.
The ED also cited allegations of attacks on ADC campaign convoys in Sokoto and Kebbi.
CentreSGD called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to conduct prompt, transparent, and non-partisan investigations into election-related attacks and to prosecute perpetrators and sponsors, regardless of political affiliation.
PDP said the growing attacks on opposition politicians, intimidation of supporters, denial of access to public facilities for campaigns and alleged manipulation of judicial processes were threatening the country’s democratic survival ahead of the 2027 general elections.
National Chairman of a PDP faction, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, raised the alarm in Abuja during a briefing, warning that the country’s political temperature was becoming dangerously hot.
He called on Tinubu to demonstrate responsible leadership by placing national stability above partisan interests, insisting that Nigeria’s survival was more important than any individual’s political ambition.
Turaki, who described the unfolding political developments as a threat to democratic consolidation, drew parallels with the First and Second republics, arguing that the suppression of opposition parties and manipulation of political processes contributed to the collapse of both republics.
Supporting the PDP chairman’s appeal, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, urged Tinubu to rise above partisan considerations and discharge his constitutional responsibilities as President, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Gana argued that the President’s responsibility extended beyond protecting the interests of the APC, stressing that he must act as the father of the nation whenever the country’s unity, peace and stability were threatened.
WOOING Nigerians to his party, Makinde said hunger, insecurity, lack of inclusiveness and the government’s inability to communicate honestly with citizens had made a fundamental reset of the country necessary.
He said this in Bauchi over the weekend during the flag-off of the APM presidential campaign. He urged Nigerians to become agents of change by supporting the APM.
“Are you ready? The biggest problem in Nigeria today is hunger. Our people are hungry, and because we are hungry, should we reset the economy? There is insecurity. Because there is insecurity, should we reset our security architecture? Because our people are not allowed to participate in governance, should we reset the political environment?” he enquired.
According to him, the country’s economic difficulties require an economic reset, while insecurity demands a comprehensive review of the security architecture.
“If you are not happy with the way things are in our country today, if you are not happy that there is not enough inclusivity, if you are not happy that your government cannot tell you the truth and cannot handle our issues with sincerity, then there is only one path for us, and the path is to reset Nigeria,” he said.
