Senior Advocate of Nigeria and policy analyst, Dr. Monday O. Ubani, SAN, has cautioned Nigeria’s political class against allowing the contest for power ahead of the 2027 general elections to degenerate into intimidation, hostility and violence.
In a strongly worded intervention titled “There Are Minimum Requirements: Nigeria Must Not Descend,” Ubani said recent political rhetoric and developments across the country were beginning to raise legitimate concerns about the atmosphere in which the next general elections would be contested.
According to him, political competition appears increasingly threatened by intolerance, with threats, bullying and hostility becoming disturbingly familiar features of political discourse.
«“The campaign season may only be gathering momentum, but some of the language and conduct already on display suggest that the political temperature is rising dangerously,” he warned.»
Ubani referred to recent developments in Ebonyi State, where the Governor was reported to have charged newly sworn-in local government chairmen not to permit electoral defeat in their respective constituencies.
He also cited reports attributed to the newly sworn-in Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Eze Paul Ituma, who was said to have declared that he would not allow anyone to “take garri from his mouth” and would do whatever was necessary to secure victory for his principal and political party.
Ubani maintained that whether such remarks were intended merely as political rhetoric or carried a more serious implication, statements capable of encouraging political intimidation should neither be encouraged nor normalised in a democracy.
The senior lawyer also expressed concern over reports that a presidential contender was recently denied entry into a State, questioning whether political intolerance was beginning to undermine the freedom of opposition politicians to move and undertake legitimate political activities across the Federation.
“Whatever the eventual facts may be, the incident provides another opportunity to ask an important question: Are we becoming so intolerant of political opposition that we are prepared to deny our opponents even the basic freedom to visit a State in the Federation?” he queried.
Drawing lessons from Nigeria’s political history, Ubani recalled the violence associated with “Operation Wetie” during the First Republic, as well as incidents of violence, intimidation and loss of lives recorded around subsequent elections.
He argued that Nigeria should, by now, have established minimum standards beneath which political competition must never fall.
Political opponents, he said, are entitled to disagree fiercely, interrogate one another’s records and campaign vigorously for the confidence of Nigerians, but political rivalry must have democratic limits.
«“Nigeria is bigger than any political party or any election. Political office is temporary. The consequences of political violence, however, can last for generations.”»
He added: “An election is not a war, and a political opponent is not an enemy of the State.”
Ubani urged candidates and political parties to make the 2027 campaigns a contest of ideas, records, policies and programmes rather than threats and intimidation.
According to him, those presently holding public office should tell Nigerians what they have achieved, while those seeking to replace them should explain clearly what they intend to do differently.
“Let those with the best argument and agenda win and let the better programme prevail. It is the people that should have the final say,” he stated.
He warned against intimidating voters, silencing opponents, restricting legitimate political activities or creating an environment in which violence becomes the price of political participation, stressing that the warning applies to all parties and political tendencies.
Ubani equally cautioned political supporters against mistaking loyalty for hostility.
“Loyalty to a politician does not require hostility towards his opponent. Defending a candidate does not mean threatening those who disagree with him. Political mobilisation should persuade, not terrorise,” he said.
Warning that politically motivated crises can easily spiral beyond the control of those who instigate them, the former NBA Vice President urged the political class to immediately lower the political temperature.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, as well as ordinary Nigerians, to play their respective roles in protecting peaceful and competitive elections.
However, he insisted that the greater burden rests on politicians seeking public office.
«“If they cannot tolerate their opponent, then they are not ready to govern in a democracy. If they cannot allow their opponent to speak, then they have no moral basis to demand that Nigerians should listen to them.”»
Ubani urged politicians to campaign vigorously, challenge failures, defend achievements and confront one another with facts and ideas without endangering the country in the struggle for power.
“Please let us not destroy the country in our desperate quest to govern it,” he cautioned.
He noted that despite its imperfections, Nigeria has sustained uninterrupted democratic government since 1999 and must not retreat below the basic standards of democratic conduct that have helped preserve the Fourth Republic.
“Such intolerant behaviour of intimidation, threats and bullying should be put to a stop. This is a timely plea and a warning. Nigeria must not descend,” Ubani concluded.
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