Ubani Warns Against Political Violence Ahead of 2027 Elections

Human rights lawyer Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, has issued a warning to Nigeria's political class regarding the rising threats, intimidation, and political intolerance as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. In a statement titled “There Are Minimum Requirements: Nigeria Must Not Descend,” Ubani expressed concern over the increasingly unsettling political environment, which is marked by hostility and bullying.

He highlighted incidents in Ebonyi State, including a warning from the governor to newly sworn-in local government chairmen against accepting defeat, and a statement from Eze Paul Ituma, a local government chairman, who vowed to secure victory for his party at any cost. Ubani emphasized that such rhetoric should not be normalized in a democracy and raised alarms about the reported denial of entry to a presidential contender in the state, questioning the country's tolerance for political opposition.

He cautioned that Nigeria's political history is fraught with violence stemming from intolerance, referencing past electoral violence from 2011 to 2023.