The European Union, EU, has expressed concern over reports of election-related violence, hate speech and political intimidation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, noted that these threats undermine democratic progress and discourage citizens from participating freely in the electoral process.
Speaking at the 2026 Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders Forum in Abuja, Mignot stressed the importance of free media, peaceful assembly and active civil society participation in ensuring credible elections.
He pledged the EU’s support for the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and civil society organisations to strengthen democracy, human rights protection and good governance in Nigeria.
The EU Ambassador emphasised that the support was aimed at empowering Nigerian institutions and stakeholders to contribute to a free, fair and credible electoral process, rather than interfering in the elections.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, warned that protecting democracy must extend beyond election day to ensuring that citizens can express themselves, assemble and participate in public affairs without intimidation.
Ojukwu raised concerns over the harassment and arbitrary arrest of journalists and human rights defenders, political intimidation, hate speech, voter exclusion and the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act.
He also faulted the lack of accountability for electoral offences, warning that impunity could encourage further violations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, also called on political parties and their supporters to reject violence, hate speech and voter suppression.
He urged political actors to embrace issue-based campaigns, tolerance and responsible communication, stressing that political opponents should not be treated as enemies.
The forum, organised by the NHRC, had the theme “Protecting Human Rights in Civic and Political Spaces in the 2027 Elections.”
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Editor: Ada Ononye
