A Nigerian lawyer, Kelechi Amaliri, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), demanding the investigation and prosecution of several political officeholders accused of threatening opposition supporters, promoting political violence and intimidating political opponents ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amaliri, of Kelechi Amaliri & Co., filed the petition on behalf of his client, Esiaga Oersted R, citing alleged incidents in Borno, Benue, Osun, Ebonyi, Edo and Delta states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The petition, dated September 11, 2026, and received at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on October 14, called on the police to investigate the allegations, prosecute individuals found culpable and provide adequate protection for opposition parties and their supporters.
Titled “Petition for Urgent Investigation and Prosecution of Cases of Electoral Violence, Criminal Intimidation, Threat to Life and Incitement to Political Violence Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” the document accused several political officeholders of making statements allegedly threatening political opponents of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among those named in the petition were Saina Buba, Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth Development and Sports; Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District; Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru; and several local government officials accused of threatening opposition members and supporters.
According to the petition, Buba allegedly threatened critics and political opponents of the APC during an event organised by the Tinubu City Boy Movement in Maiduguri on August 29, 2026.
Amaliri alleged that Buba was captured in a viral video warning that anyone who showed his finger against the party would have it broken or cut off.
The commissioner was also accused of threatening that individuals who refused to work for the APC would be flogged and denied government empowerment benefits.
The lawyer argued that such statements, if established, could create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among opposition supporters and undermine the peaceful participation of citizens in the electoral process.
The petition also alleged that, in August 2026, the Senior Special Assistant to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youth Organisations and Illegal Levies directed APC supporters in Otukpo to resist individuals or opposition groups campaigning against the governor ahead of the 2027 elections.
The aide allegedly made the remarks while distributing ₦2,000 and 10kg bags of rice to beneficiaries.
The lawyer further accused Senator Fadahunsi of allegedly instructing APC supporters to attack and kill members of the rival Accord Party during preparations for the Osun governorship election.
According to the petition, the senator was captured in a viral video making the alleged remarks on August 11, 2026.
Amaliri expressed concern that the alleged failure of the police to prosecute the senator had encouraged other members of the ruling party to continue issuing threats against political opponents.
The petition stated: “Our Client is of the strong view that failure by the Police to prosecute Senator Francis Fadahunsi contributed in emboldening members of the ruling party to continue in this pattern of political threats and intimidation.”
It added that the client “totally condemns these threats of violence and intimidation against the opposition.”
The lawyer also cited alleged remarks by Ebonyi State Governor Nwifuru on September 1, 2026, in which the governor reportedly acknowledged accusations that his administration was threatening opposition politicians but warned that a tougher response could follow.
According to the petition, Nwifuru said: “The opposition said we are threatening them, we have not started threatening them, when the time comes, we will threaten you… As a local government chairman, you cannot allow anybody to come to your local government to mess up. If anybody messes up, deal with him mercilessly.”
Amaliri also accused Eze Paul Ituma, chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, of threatening political opponents shortly after his inauguration on September 1.
Ituma allegedly warned that anyone who did not embrace the APC should not consider coming to Ohaukwu, adding that such individuals would be declared persona non grata and treated as enemies.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the petition accused Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, chairman of Kuje Area Council, of making threatening remarks while addressing residents on August 25, 2026.
Shekwolo was quoted as saying: “It is either you are doing APC, or you leave the Area Council… I will knock you, it’s either you are with us, or you are out.”
The petition further alleged that Blessing Ebhodaghe, chairman of Esan Local Government Area in Edo State, threatened drivers at Onitsha Park in Ekpoma on September 17, 2026.
According to Amaliri, Ebhodaghe threatened to eject drivers from the park and remove its chairman if they wore caps belonging to political parties other than the APC.
The lawyer argued that the alleged statements and actions formed part of a troubling pattern of political intimidation that could threaten the safety of opposition members and undermine democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The petition also raised allegations of an attack on Dr. Paul Chris, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Delta State.
According to the document, politically sponsored thugs allegedly attacked Chris, members of the Obedient Movement and Kwankwasiya supporters during a campaign in Warri on September 18, 2026.
The lawyer maintained that the alleged incidents amounted to criminal intimidation, threats to life and conduct capable of causing a breach of the peace.
To support the request for police intervention, the petition cited Sections 86 and 397 of the Criminal/Penal Codes, alongside Sections 93 and 95 of the Electoral Act, 2022, as legal provisions under which the alleged conduct should be investigated.
Amaliri urged the Inspector-General of Police to order a comprehensive investigation into all the complaints and “invite and prosecute all culpable persons.”
He also called on the police to provide adequate security for opposition parties and their supporters, stressing the need to prevent political intimidation and violence from escalating as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The petition further urged the police leadership to issue a public assurance of neutrality, insisting that law enforcement authorities must protect all political parties and citizens without discrimination.
The allegations contained in the petition had not, in the information provided, been established through a court judgment. The petitioners are seeking police investigation and prosecution of anyone found culpable.