Former Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Bala Na’Allah, has warned that the 2027 general election could be one of the most dangerous in Nigeria’s history, citing rising political tension, attacks on supporters and inflammatory statements by opposition figures.
Mr Na’Allah gave the warning during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, expressing concern over political rhetoric suggesting that disputes arising from the elections could be settled on the streets rather than through the courts.
He particularly cited a statement attributed to former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, who reportedly said opposition parties would not approach the courts over the outcome of the 2027 elections but would instead defend their votes on the streets.
”I have read some statements that are equally not comforting. I have read some people saying, including Dino, who said, ‘We will not go to court. I have never heard this before in my life. We will not go to court. We will settle it on the street,'” he said.
The former senator said such statements, alongside reports of attacks on political supporters and vehicles during early political activities, raised concerns about the possibility of widespread violence as the elections approach.
He said opposition parties, in their determination to unseat the ruling party, could intensify their campaigns and become equally determined to defend their votes.
”One of the things I expect will happen is that the various opposition groups, in their determination to take power from the ruling party, will go to any length to campaign and get votes. And, of course, they may go to certain lengths to say they are going to defend their votes too.
”But from the aura of statements I have seen, it’s discomforting enough to say that, at least, I have been around from 1999 to date. We have never seen this kind of situation,” he said.
Mr Na’Allah also referred to reports of attacks on vehicles in Kebbi State and alleged attacks on some people in Sokoto, describing the incidents as troubling given the early stage of political activities.
”And you have just said Dino said some vehicles were broken into and attacked in Kebbi, and then, of course, in Sokoto, there was this idea that some people equally were attacked.
”This is at the early stage of the campaign. And if this can happen, then what happens on the day of the election? And that’s why I’m saying it’s going to be a bit dangerous,” he added.
The former lawmaker, however, said preventing electoral violence and ensuring free, fair and credible elections was a collective responsibility, particularly for the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Federal Government.
He argued that the government had a constitutional obligation to protect all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations, and must demonstrate this through its actions.
”The responsibility is on everyone to provide a situation where there will be free, fair and credible elections. But the responsibility is particularly on the ruling party and the government of the day, which has the primary responsibility constitutionally for which it has sworn to protect the people of this country.
”And therefore, by its conduct, it must lead by example. And by its conduct, it must be seen to protect everybody in this country,” he said.
He also called for a level playing field for all political parties, stressing that credible elections would only be possible if candidates and their supporters could campaign freely across the country without intimidation.
Asked whether he believed the APC was allowing opposition parties to campaign freely, Mr Na’Allah said he was unaware of any directive by the ruling party restricting opposition activities.
He, however, described the reported attacks in Kebbi and Sokoto as isolated incidents allegedly involving some APC members, urging security agencies and authorities in the affected areas to prevent a recurrence.
”I don’t understand where APC has said that should not be done. These conducts are isolated conducts of some APC members, allegedly,” he said.
Citing a campaign activity in Ekiti State, the former senator said there had been no complaints of attacks on vehicles during the exercise.
He urged those responsible for security in areas where attacks had been reported to take necessary measures to prevent further incidents as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.