The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over growing incidents of political violence, hate speech and intimidation in Nigeria as preparations gradually gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.
The EU warned that the rising cases pose a serious threat to the country’s democratic development, stressing the need to protect civic freedoms and ensure that citizens can participate in the electoral process without fear.
The EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, raised the concerns while speaking at the opening of the 2026 Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders Forum in Abuja.
Mignot stressed that an open political environment, independent media and active civil society organisations were essential to strengthening democratic accountability and building public confidence in elections.
He explained that protecting civic and political spaces would enable citizens and civil society groups to monitor electoral activities, scrutinise government policies and hold political leaders accountable.
“Free civic and political spaces also help hold leaders and institutions accountable by enabling CSOs and active citizens to monitor election administration, track campaign promises and challenge government policies.
“By enabling free association and assembly, robust civic and political spaces prevent authorities from backsliding or from manipulating rules,” he said.
The EU envoy further emphasised that freedom of expression, peaceful protests and independent journalism must be protected to guarantee a credible electoral process.
He reaffirmed the European Union’s readiness to support relevant Nigerian institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in promoting human rights and strengthening democratic governance.
However, he clarified that the EU’s involvement would be limited to supporting Nigeria’s democratic institutions without interfering in the country’s internal political affairs.
The warning comes amid a series of violent incidents involving political supporters and campaign groups in different parts of the country, raising concerns about the safety of political actors ahead of the 2027 polls.
In Katsina State, supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) travelling to attend a campaign flag-off in Funtua were reportedly attacked along the Yashi-Funtua route.
The incident left a female passenger injured, while the police subsequently arrested 14 suspects in connection with the attack.
In a separate incident in Cross River State, the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was attacked in Calabar, resulting in damage to vehicles. A suspect was reportedly arrested over the incident.
Political violence was also recorded in Delta State, where an attack on an NDC procession and rally along Nnebisi Road in Asaba left one person dead and five others injured.
The incidents have heightened concerns about the possibility of increased political hostility as parties and their supporters intensify activities ahead of the next general elections.
