EU concerned over violence ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Vanguard
The European Union is concerned about violence, hate speech and political intimidation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, at a forum in Abuja. The National Peace Committee recorded 60 incidents in one month, while the National Human Rights Council links the violence to apathy and distrust, according to Vanguard.
The European Union on Wednesday expressed concern over election-related violence, hate speech and political intimidation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said the incidents risked discouraging citizen participation and weakening democratic gains, at a human rights forum in Abuja, reports Vanguard.
The National Peace Committee, a Nigerian body tasked with promoting electoral peace, recorded 60 election-related incidents in one month, including violence, intimidation and threats. In Katsina, supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were attacked in October on the Yashi-Funtua road, while the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi was attacked in Calabar on 4 November, according to Vanguard.
Another incident left one person dead and five injured on 7 November during a procession and rally by NDC supporters in Asaba, Delta State. Gautier Mignot called for free media, peaceful gatherings, public forums and the work of civil society organisations to be preserved so that voters can examine candidates and policies without fear of censorship or reprisals, reports Vanguard.
