The Nigeria Police Force has warned political thugs and other troublemakers against tearing, defacing or destroying campaign posters, banners and billboards belonging to political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was just as the Force described the growing incidents of destruction of campaign materials across the country as acts of political intolerance and warned those involved to desist immediately.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the destruction or unlawful removal of campaign materials could constitute malicious damage, which is a criminal offence under applicable laws.
He cited Section 451 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 326 of the Penal Code Law, which defines the offence of mischief, warning that political differences do not give anyone the right to destroy another candidate’s property or restrict their freedom to campaign.
The police stressed that all political parties and candidates, irrespective of their affiliations, were entitled to equal protection under the law.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has consequently directed Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to take proactive measures to prevent the destruction of campaign materials.
The directive also mandates the commissioners to investigate reported incidents and ensure that anyone found culpable is arrested and prosecuted.
The Force added that political sponsors and individuals who recruit, encourage or facilitate such criminal acts would also be held accountable where evidence establishes their involvement.
It urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the rights of others.
“The Nigeria Police Force will not allow political thugs and troublemakers to turn the nation’s political environment into a theatre of lawlessness. Those who choose to break the law will face the full consequences of their actions,” the statement read.
The warning comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received assurances of support from the United Nations as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
The assurance was given by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr Leonardo Santos Simão, during a courtesy visit to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, at the commission’s headquarters.
Simão, who led a delegation to the meeting, said the visit was aimed at demonstrating the United Nations’ support for INEC as it prepares for the elections.
He noted that the commission faced enormous responsibilities in managing Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly amid terrorism and other security challenges.
The UN representative stressed that elections should not become another source of violence or instability but should promote peace, democratic stability and national development.
“We are here, pleased to give you moral support, that you are not alone in facing this mammoth task,” he said.
He added that the United Nations would maintain a presence during the elections, not as observers, since it had no mandate to undertake election observation, but to encourage positive conduct and support peaceful participation.
Simão also noted that peaceful elections in Nigeria would have implications beyond the country, serving as an inspiration to other West African nations and contributing to regional stability.
Responding, Amupitan thanked the delegation for the United Nations’ interest in Nigeria’s electoral preparations and willingness to support the commission.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting credible elections through efficient logistics, transparent result management and timely declaration of results.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the commission had registered approximately 103 million voters, with young Nigerians aged between 18 and 34 accounting for nearly 29 per cent of the electorate.
He said INEC was conducting a comprehensive review of the voter register through the claims and objections process, adding that the final register was scheduled for publication on December 15, 2026.
According to him, technology-enabled verification had also helped the commission identify approximately 1.5 million registrations with irregularities for removal from the register.
Amupitan further disclosed that the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) was ongoing across the country.
On technological preparations, he said INEC would strengthen the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for public access to polling-unit results.
He identified misinformation, disinformation and foreign information manipulation as major threats to electoral integrity, warning that the misuse of artificial intelligence and coordinated online campaigns could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
The chairman called for stronger collaboration with the United Nations to promote information integrity, counter electoral disinformation and strengthen public awareness.
He also identified conflict prevention, election security, early-warning mechanisms, stakeholder dialogue, peacebuilding and the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly women, youths and persons with disabilities, as areas for possible cooperation.
Amupitan added that INEC was planning a mock accreditation and election exercise to test its electoral technologies, identify possible challenges and strengthen public confidence ahead of the polls.
He said the commission was also working with relevant security agencies to identify areas vulnerable to electoral violence and develop appropriate preventive measures.
