Nigeria’s democracy is approaching a defining test. As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the question is no longer merely whether political parties can present candidates, publish manifestoes or organise rallies. It is whether opposition parties can exercise these democratic rights freely, without intimidation, obstruction or the fear that participation in politics could cost them their lives. The recent attack on supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State, reports of attacks against opposition supporters in Delta State, and the reported obstruction of Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State should concern every Nigerian who believes in constitutional government.
These incidents, occurring in different circumstances, point to a common and troubling question: are our political institutions prepared to guarantee a level playing field for all contestants, or will the exercise of political power increasingly determine who can speak, assemble and campaign? On October 10, reports by Premium Times described how suspected political thugs attacked NDC supporters who had gathered to welcome the party’s governorship candidate, Chinyeaka Ohaa, in Enugu. The reported violence included sporadic gunfire, injuries and damage to vehicles.
Earlier, in September, Peter Obi’s convoy was reportedly obstructed by youths in Makurdi, Benue State, during a visit. Obi alleged political interference, while the Benue State Government denied involvement and said it was unaware of the visit. These distinctions must be respected, and the relevant authorities must establish the facts. Nevertheless, the incidents demand serious attention because political participation must never be held hostage to violence or intimidation. Delta State has also witnessed reports of attacks and confrontations involving opposition political activities. These developments should serve as a warning to the authorities that the approach of another election must not become an excuse for the normalisation of political hostility. No party should have to calculate the risk of being attacked before deciding whether to meet its supporters, visit a community or present its candidate to the electorate. The governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have a particular responsibility in this regard.
Governors are commonly described as the chief security officers of their states, although the operational command of the police and other federal security agencies does not rest exclusively with them. That distinction does not absolve them of responsibility. They have considerable influence, access to security institutions and a duty to work with the appropriate authorities to protect lives, preserve public order and ensure that lawful political activities proceed peacefully. A governor cannot reasonably claim credit for security successes while treating violence against political opponents as somebody else’s problem. Nor should the machinery of government appear responsive when the ruling party is holding an event but helpless when an opposition party seeks to do the same. The test of impartial leadership is not how effectively the state protects those in power, but whether it also protects those who seek to replace them. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
These rights are not privileges reserved for the ruling party, nor are they concessions that governors may withdraw when opposition voices become inconvenient. They are fundamental democratic protections that must be respected, subject only to lawful and constitutionally permissible limitations. The implications are profound. Elections are not meaningful simply because voters eventually enter polling booths. They must be preceded by an environment in which citizens can hear competing arguments, question public officials, attend political meetings and make informed choices without coercion. Where opposition candidates are obstructed, supporters are assaulted and political gatherings are disrupted, the quality of electoral competition is diminished long before election day.
There is also a fundamental contradiction in any government that claims to have delivered exceptional results but appears threatened by political competition. If the APC believes it has performed well at the federal and state levels, it should have every reason to welcome scrutiny. Its governors should take their achievements directly to the people, explain their policies, defend their records and demonstrate how their administrations have improved the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Let them speak about roads constructed, schools renovated, hospitals equipped, jobs created, investment attracted and communities made safer. Let them provide verifiable figures, defend their budgets and answer uncomfortable questions about unemployment, inflation, poverty, infrastructure and the cost of living. Let them tell Nigerians what they have achieved and why they deserve another mandate. That is the essence of democratic competition: performance against promises, evidence against allegations, and ideas against ideas. A government confident in its record should not fear an opposition rally.
It should be able to face its critics in the marketplace of ideas and trust the electorate to make the final judgment. Violence, intimidation and administrative obstruction cannot substitute for public persuasion. Indeed, where political actors resort to such methods, they risk undermining the very achievements they want voters to recognise. A road, hospital or school cannot justify the denial of another citizen’s fundamental rights. Governance is not an exchange in which material development gives the state permission to restrict lawful political participation. The APC must also recognise that accusations of political sponsorship should not be made carelessly. Responsibility for any attack must be established through credible investigation, not partisan speculation. Equally, denials by political parties or public officials must not become an excuse for failing to investigate.
Every attack deserves a professional inquiry, and anyone found to have planned, financed or carried out criminal violence should face the law, irrespective of political affiliation. The police, the Department of State Services and the Independent National Electoral Commission must discharge their respective responsibilities impartially. Security agencies should assess risks, protect lawful gatherings and respond promptly to threats. Where permission or notification is legally required, the rules must be applied fairly and consistently, without using administrative procedures to frustrate political opponents. Political parties, for their part, must instruct their supporters to remain peaceful and respect the rights of their rivals. The coming elections should be an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic culture, not deepen its divisions. APC governors have an opportunity to demonstrate that political authority can be exercised with restraint, confidence and respect for constitutional freedoms.
They should publicly condemn attacks on opposition supporters, direct relevant state institutions to cooperate with security agencies and make it clear that violence will not be tolerated. Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians. No political party owns a state, and no governor has a personal claim over the people they govern. Those in office today may become opposition figures tomorrow. The democratic protections they defend for their opponents today may be the same protections they will need when political fortunes change. If the APC government believes it has done so much for Nigeria, let its achievements speak.
Let its governors campaign freely, and let the opposition do the same. Let every candidate enter the political arena, meet the people, defend a record and present an alternative. Let voters decide on the strength of arguments and performance, rather than under the shadow of fear. The true measure of a democracy is not how freely the ruling party campaigns, but whether its opponents can do so safely. The APC should have the confidence to compete on its record and the maturity to protect the democratic rights of those seeking to replace it. Anything less would be a disservice to Nigeria and to the democratic ideals that every political party claims to uphold.
The post Let the opposition campaign, by Ejiro Ofoye appeared first on Vanguard News.