By Mary Onyia
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the resurgence of political violence across the country, warning politicians and their supporters against thuggery and attacks on opponents as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The President’s warning follows the violence that disrupted a town hall meeting organised by the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in Lagos, where suspected political thugs allegedly hired to cause trouble attacked participants and disrupted proceedings.
In a personally signed statement titled “Let’s Shun Violence: Our Campaigns Must Be About Issues That Promote the Welfare of Our People,” Tinubu said political differences and competing ambitions should not turn political actors into enemies.
“I have said that being in different political parties or pursuing different ambitions does not make us enemies,” he said.
The President urged political leaders and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, stressing that his administration was committed to ensuring peaceful, free and fair elections.
He also reiterated his directive to security agencies to deal firmly with perpetrators of political violence, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“Security agencies are therefore authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force,” he said.
Tinubu further insisted that all political parties and candidates must be allowed to campaign freely anywhere in the country without intimidation or fear for their safety, warning that irresponsible conduct by politicians and their supporters would not be tolerated.
The NDC town hall meeting in Lagos, organised as part of the party’s campaign activities for its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and governorship candidate, Funso Doherty, was disrupted by suspected thugs armed with cutlasses and other weapons. Some participants reportedly sustained injuries during the attack, which raised fresh concerns about political intolerance and the safety of opposition activities ahead of the 2027 elections.