Nigeria House Probes Surge in Pre-Election Political Violence

The House of Representatives of Nigeria has resolved to investigate a surge in political violence, intimidation, and property destruction occurring ahead of the 2027 general elections. Following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Minority Leader Fred Agbedi and 16 other lawmakers, the House established an ad hoc committee chaired by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere. The committee has three weeks to determine the immediate and remote causes of the unrest.

Lawmakers cited a series of violent events, including a September 12 disruption in Enugu State that allegedly left one person dead, an October 28 attack on All Progressives Congress supporters in Katsina State, and a November 7 procession in Asaba, Delta State, resulting in one death and five injuries. Other reported incidents occurred in Lafia, Calabar, Edo, and Gombe. The National Peace Committee reported 60 election-related incidents within a single month.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council condemned the violence, specifically denouncing the disruption of a Nigeria Democratic Congress town hall meeting in Lagos. Senate Committee Chairman Yemi Adaramodu joined the condemnation, urging security agents to apprehend those culpable. Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador Gautier Mignot rejected calls for the EU to impose sanctions on Nigerian political stakeholders, stating the organization's role is to support the electoral process and empower stakeholders rather than punish them.