Global Rights · Incident Centre for Election Atrocities (ICEA)
CAMPAIGN SEASON: While Presidential and National Assembly campaigns opened 19 August, 2026, Governorship and State Assembly campaigns opened 9 September, 2026. Presidential and National Assembly elections are set for 16 January 2027 with Governorship and State Assembly elections holding subsequently on 6 February, 2027.
ICEA INCIDENTS RECORDED: There were 12 reported incidents, including three deaths from attacks on political gatherings, campaign activities and candidates' convoys. The number of reported incidents also covers four separate attacks targeting candidates, convoys and party members and three incidents from police action against public assemblies gathered to exercise their political rights. Additionally, it encompasses a threat of armed violence by a party chairman; and a reported assault against a woman following her criticism of a Governor.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK: Electoral Act 2026 Sections 95-97 address political rallies and processions, campaign conduct and threats of force or violence.
October moved the campaign from rhetoric to the road. Candidates’ convoys, processions and flag-off events became the main flashpoints, and three of them ended in deaths. Most reported targets were opposition parties, though claims about who sponsored the attackers remain unproven. Security agencies also appear in the record as actors, not only as protectors. The incidents highlighted below are those with the clearest implications for electoral participation and the civic space.
On Friday 2 October, Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe was recorded warning that anyone standing in the way of the party’s 2.5 million-vote target for President Tinubu would face “AK-47 fire.” He spoke at a party gathering in Benin City. The same 2.5 million-vote target featured in the previous ICEA Watch edition, covering 25 August–30 September 2026. That edition reported that the Esan West LGA Chairman, Blessing Ebhodaghe, had instructed drivers at Onitsha Park in Ekpoma to wear APC caps or risk being removed, linking the directive to the governor's pledge to secure 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu. (TheCable)
In Katsina, Nasir Saad Ahmed, the PDP candidate for Malumfashi/Kafur Federal Constituency, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police in a petition dated 23 October. He alleged that supporters were arrested for chanting a slogan meaning “we don’t want APC,” and he asked for equal protection for all candidates and their supporters. The allegation is the candidate’s and the reports reviewed carry no police response. (Sahara Reporters)
Civic space and electoral significance: Section 97(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 bars threats of force or violence to compel or prevent political support, and section 96 bars inflammatory campaign language. The reports reviewed do not indicate that Mr Tenebe has been prosecuted or sanctioned. This is the second case in Edo State (highlighted in this and immediate past edition) where a local party leader has threatened the same vote target. If the Katsina allegation is carried out, arrests over the chanting of a slogan would be contrary to the freedom of expression, association and liberty; all guaranteed by sections 39, 40 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
On 10 October, suspected political thugs attacked Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene, where they had gone to welcome governorship candidate Chinyeaka Ohaa. Shootings then followed at the party’s secretariat during the campaign flag-off. A supporter, Mr Nwolie, died days later from the alleged gunshot wound. Police said they were investigating, and reported damage to five vehicles. The police account also described a misunderstanding among party members that escalated into a fight. The state government’s account said the NDC tried to hold a statewide flag-off at the airport without approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. However, the NDC has maintained that it held its main flag-off at its campaign office in the Government Residential Area (GRA), not at the airport. Witnesses also accused the police of standing by during the attack. (Sahara Reporters)
Civic space and electoral significance: This incident raises concerns about the safety of political gatherings, plurality of democratic participation and the ability of parties to organise freely without intimidation. The reported attack on NDC supporters at the airport and the subsequent shooting at the party secretariat should be examined as part of efforts to uphold the rule of law, strengthen accountability and the implementation of legal provisions safeguarding human rights, democracy and freedom of choice. . Section 95 of the Electoral Act 2026 places responsibility on the police to provide adequate security for political rallies and processions. The differing accounts from the police, state government, NDC and witnesses also call for a public, evidence-based investigation with learnings on the way forward.
On Tuesday 6 October, gunmen allegedly fired on the convoy of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Edo Central senatorial candidate Herberta Okonofua and party chieftain Kenneth Imasuangbon in Igueben LGA. Both escaped unhurt. A supporter, Jerry Oliha, was shot. The ADC said it was the third attack on the entourage that day. The party blamed APC loyalists led by the LGA chairman, who denied involvement. The two leaders petitioned the police and the Department of State Services (DSS). (Leadership)
On Wednesday 14 October, supporters of Accord governorship Lagos candidate Oriyomi Hamzat were pelted with stones during a procession in the Molete area of Ibadan. Police confirmed the death of Azeez Tajudeen, 40, after the attack. An investigation has been opened. (Channels Television)
On 22 October in Ebonyi, the convoy of NDC candidate Rollins Offia-Nwali (Ezza South State Constituency) was attacked and his vehicle set on fire. He said his team escaped unhurt. Police confirmed one death and three injuries. Other reports describe two suspected attackers killed, with security personnel attached to the candidate said to have repelled them. Death counts, and who the dead were, differ between the reported accounts. (Sahara Reporters)
Civic space and electoral significance: Section 95 requires adequate police security for rallies and processions. The incidents in Igueben, within Edo Central Senatorial District, and Molete, in Ibadan, highlight security risks facing political actors across different levels of electoral competition. The question is whether adequate protection extends to candidates and supporters beyond high-profile governorship campaigns. In Ebonyi, the reported use of lethal force by security personnel requires a prompt public account. Whoever the dead were, that account is owed to their families and to public confidence.
On 1 October, police arrested the coordinator of the OK movement during an Independence Day march in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. (Premium Times)
On 20 October, police fired tear gas at the #EndSARS anniversary memorial at the Lekki Toll Gate, where ADC governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and NDC candidate Funso Doherty were reportedly present. About 30 police trucks were stationed at the site as the Lagos Command enforced restrictions on street demonstrations. Police had also dispersed anniversary gatherings at the location in 2021 and 2024.
Separately, the AAC condemned an alleged attack on its Lagos governorship candidate, Adesoca Adedamola, during the memorial and called attention to the incident. (Sahara Reporters)
Civic space and electoral significance: The police dispersal of the memorial raises concerns about the protection of peaceful assembly under section 40 of the Constitution. The presence of political candidates also gives the incident implications for political participation, beyond the rights of those attending the commemoration. The pattern across three October anniversaries suggests a recurring restriction rather than an isolated response. ICEA will continue to monitor whether restrictions on public gatherings are applied consistently, regardless of political affiliation.
On 23 October, the Lagos ADC condemned an alleged attack on its ward members in Alimosho Local Government Area and pledged support for those affected. The available report does not establish whether the incident occurred at a polling unit or at another party location. (Champion Newspapers)
On 24 October, angry youths reportedly stoned the convoy of an APC House of Representatives member in Gabasawa LGA, Kano State, over alleged neglect of the community. The incident reflects tensions between elected representatives and constituents, although the available account does not establish a direct connection to electoral competition. (Sahara Reporters)
On 25 October, a woman in Kaduna was reportedly beaten and injured after criticising the level of public support for Governor Uba Sani following President Tinubu's visit. The circumstances of the assault and whether it was gender-motivated remain unclear. (Sahara Reporters)
The same day, the AAC condemned an alleged attack on a party member after a field engagement in Badagry, Lagos State and called for a police investigation. (Sahara Reporters)
Civic space and electoral significance: These incidents raise concerns about the safety of party members, political expression and public engagement. The Alimosho and Badagry reports warrant further investigation into the circumstances of the alleged attacks. The Kano incident highlights the potential for public grievances to escalate into violence against political representatives. In Kaduna, the reported assault raises concerns about the safety of citizens expressing criticism of public officials, with any gender-related dimension requiring further verification.
October’s incidents point to a campaign environment increasingly marked by violence around political activities and tensions over the exercise of civic freedoms. Three deaths emerged from attacks on political gatherings, campaign activities and candidates’ convoys, while four further attacks targeted candidates, convoys and party members. Security personnel also featured more prominently in the reporting, with three incidents involving police action against public assemblies and a clamp down on political expression in addition to police inaction and questions about the use of lethal force in Ebonyi.
As the 2027 elections approach, these developments raise concerns about the safety of campaign activities and the consistency of security agencies’ protection around political participation. How authorities respond to threats, investigate attacks and account for their own conduct will be important to t creating an enabling environment where citizens and parties can fully participate in the electoral process.
Every incident in this edition happened during the campaign season, with the Electoral Act 2026 in force. Violence in this period was not tied to a polling day. It reached party meetings, party offices, candidates’ convoys, local chairmen and traditional rulers and, in several cases, was foreshadowed by public threats from officeholders.
This report highlights incidents recorded between February and August 2026. A summary of the atrocities documented during the period include at least eight killing-related incidents, four reports of inflammatory political rhetoric, four attacks on political actors, four incidents affecting INEC facilities or personnel, and five incidents of voter intimidation.