The Grassroots Center for Rights & Civic Orientation (GRACO) has called on law enforcement agencies and other relevant government bodies to take decisive action against political threats, hate speech, disinformation and technology-facilitated gender-based violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
GRACO made the call in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Armsfree Ajanaku, on Friday, August 28, 2026, expressing concern over the nature of political campaigns since the commencement of activities for the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The organisation said although there had been policy debates and political programmes involving the ruling and opposition parties during the early phase of the campaigns, it was increasingly concerned about the use of threats, inflammatory language and technology-facilitated gender-based violence as tools for political mobilisation.
According to GRACO, such practices could discourage citizens, particularly members of marginalised groups, from participating freely in the electoral process if they are not urgently addressed.
The organisation specifically condemned an alleged threat attributed to the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Samuel Shekwolo.
GRACO said Shekwolo was captured in a verified video allegedly threatening residents who were unwilling to vote for the All Progressives Congress to leave the area council.
The group also cited an incident involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi during preparations for the Osun State governorship election, alleging that he called on APC supporters to kill supporters of rival political parties wherever they were found.
GRACO said it had also documented cases of technology-facilitated gender-based violence against women seeking political office.
It identified the African Action Congress governorship candidate in Abia State, Doris Ogala, as an example, alleging that she had been repeatedly subjected to derogatory online comments because of her gender.
The organisation said its monitoring showed that the incidents were not isolated but reflected a wider pattern capable of suppressing voters and discouraging marginalised groups from participating in elections.
GRACO further argued that the absence of swift action against individuals responsible for political threats and attacks could embolden others to engage in similar conduct.
It therefore urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and National Human Rights Commission to investigate allegations of threats, hate speech and related violations and prosecute individuals found culpable.
The organisation said accountability was necessary to protect citizens' fundamental rights and ensure that voters could participate in the electoral process without intimidation.
GRACO also cited existing constitutional and electoral safeguards protecting citizens' political rights.
It referenced Article 21(3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognises the will of the people as the basis of governmental authority and provides for genuine elections conducted through universal and equal suffrage.
The organisation also pointed to Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantees citizens' rights to peaceful assembly and association, including membership of political parties.
More specifically, GRACO drew attention to Section 97(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits political parties, candidates, aspirants or other persons from directly or indirectly threatening individuals with force or violence during political campaigns to compel them to support or reject a political party or candidate.
The group noted that Section 97(2) provides penalties for violations, including a maximum fine of ₦5 million or up to 12 months' imprisonment for a candidate, aspirant, individual or group found guilty, while political parties may face a ₦10 million fine for a first offence and ₦2 million for subsequent offences.
GRACO urged law enforcement agencies to enforce these provisions before, during and after the 2027 elections.
It said decisive enforcement would help protect voters, promote peaceful political participation and prevent threats and technology-enabled attacks from escalating as the election season progresses.