Political threats in Nigeria carry fines and jail time under the 2026 Electoral Act, while a Nov. 2 Premium Times editorial cited reports of official pressure and a crowd blocking Peter Obi’s convoy.
Section 97 applies when someone threatens force or violence during campaign activity to influence support for a party or candidate. A person, candidate, aspirant or group convicted under the provision can face a fine of up to 5 million naira or 12 months in prison. Political parties face a 10 million naira fine for a first offense and 2 million naira for a subsequent offense.
The Premium Times editorial argued that authorities should respond to reports of political intimidation. It cited incidents in Ebonyi, Borno and Benue. In Ebonyi, Gov. Francis Nwifuru spoke at a Sept. 1 swearing-in ceremony for chairpersons of the state’s 13 local government areas, according to reports by TheCable, Tribune and Premium Times. Those reports said he warned that chairpersons would be removed if they failed to deliver All Progressives Congress (APC) victories in their councils.
At an Aug. 31 event for the Tinubu City Boy Movement, Borno Youth and Sports Development Commissioner Sainna Buba reportedly t...