70 election-related assaults recorded in 19 states, 27 killed – Centre for Security

The African Centre for Security, Governance and Development, CentreSGD, has stated 70 bodily election-related assaults had been recorded throughout 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory between January 1 and October 27, 2026, leaving 27 individuals lifeless.

The govt director of CentreSGD, Theresa Chigozirim Odinkalu-Okoro, in a press release, on Sunday warned that the incidents mirror escalating political violence that threatens the credibility of the 2027 common elections, as assaults on candidates, supporters, marketing campaign convoys and celebration workplaces proceed to boost safety issues.

Citing the CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Threat Assessment and Yiaga Africa’s National Voting Intentions Survey carried out in September 2026, CentreSGD stated 61 per cent of Nigerians feared violence may forestall them from voting.

The determine was greater within the North-East, the place 78 per cent of respondents expressed the identical concern.

Among the incidents highlighted had been assaults on Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, supporters in Enugu, assaults on APC marketing campaign convoys in Malumfashi and Yankara, Katsina State, and the assault on African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and his entourage in Ado-Ekiti.

The centre additionally cited allegations of assaults on the ADC governorship candidate’s convoy in Sokoto and ADC marketing campaign convoys, together with that of presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, in Kebbi State.

It, nevertheless, acknowledged that a number of the allegations had been disputed by the events and authorities concerned, stressing that it was not saying on culpability however calling for thorough investigations and prosecution the place proof warranted.

CentreSGD urged the Nigeria Police Force and different safety businesses to research all election-related assaults promptly, transparently and with out political bias, together with prosecuting these accountable and their sponsors.

“Elections should be a contest of ideas and popular mandate, not a test of physical force or armed coercion,” the centre stated.

It warned that democracy couldn’t thrive in an setting ruled by concern.