By Aaron Ossai
The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into reported cases of political violence, attacks on political gatherings and disruption of political activities across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Hon. Fred Agbedi, and 16 other lawmakers on Thursday, amid growing concerns over attacks on political meetings, rallies and processions.
Leading the debate on behalf of the sponsors, Agbedi condemned incidents of violence, intimidation, assault and destruction of property linked to political activities, irrespective of the political parties or individuals affected.
He warned that the rising incidents, if not urgently addressed, could jeopardise the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections and erode public confidence in the democratic process.
The Minority Leader recalled that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees citizens the right to assemble freely and associate with others, including the freedom to form or belong to political parties.
He also cited the constitutional provision that makes the security and welfare of citizens the primary responsibility of government, stressing that Nigerians must be able to participate in political activities without fear of intimidation or attacks.
Agbedi urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid inflammatory statements, discourage violence and cooperate with security agencies to maintain peace and public order.
He called on the House to exercise its investigative powers under Section 88(1) of the Constitution to examine the circumstances surrounding the reported incidents and assess the performance of public authorities responsible for enforcing relevant laws.
To highlight the growing security concerns, Agbedi recalled several incidents of political violence recorded in different parts of the country.
He cited the disruption of political meetings in Enugu State on September 12, 2026, during which the police reportedly confirmed that two attendees were injured and one person allegedly killed.
He also recalled an attack on All Progressives Congress supporters travelling to a rally in Katsina State on October 28, 2026, which reportedly resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects. Similarly, he drew attention to an attack on an APC rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on November 4, where several people were reportedly injured.
Another incident, according to him, occurred during a political procession in Asaba, Delta State, on November 7, when the police reportedly confirmed that one person was killed and five others injured.
Agbedi said the incidents demonstrated the urgent need for intervention to prevent political disagreements from escalating into violence.
He expressed concern that continued attacks, intimidation and destruction of property could lead to further loss of lives, discourage citizens from participating in legitimate political activities and undermine confidence in the electoral process.
However, he cautioned against prematurely attributing responsibility for the attacks, insisting that all allegations must be subjected to impartial, thorough and evidence-based investigations.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of politically motivated violence across the country.
The committee, chaired by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, was given three weeks to complete its assignment and submit its findings to the House.
