Fear of violence may keep thousands of Nigerians away from the polling booths in 2027 if politicians continue to inject threats, gun references and war-like language into election campaigns, activist Prince Babawale Sayo has warned.
Sayo said politicians who casually invoke weapons such as the AK-47 risk turning elections into events voters associate with bloodshed and danger rather than the peaceful exercise of their democratic rights.
The activist spoke against the backdrop of the controversy over Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe’s reference to “AK-47 fire” while discussing the party’s target of 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the state.
Speaking on The Policy Room, anchored by Lemmy Ughegbe, Sayo said it was dangerous for political actors to normalise firearm imagery during campaigns, even when they later offer explanations for their comments.
The African Democratic Congress had called for an investigation into Tenebe’s remarks, while a coalition of civil society groups defended the APC chairman, arguing that his statement had been taken out of context and was connected to prayer rather than an endorsement of violence.
Sayo said, however, that the issue went beyond whether Tenebe intended the remark as a threat.
According to him, frightening political language can have an effect on voters even after politicians attempt to explain or withdraw the comments.
He also cited the controversy involving Osun East Senator Francis Fadahunsi, whose remarks during the state governorship election were interpreted as a call for violence against members of the opposition Accord Party.
Fadahunsi later explained that he was referring to defeating his opponents politically through votes.
But Sayo argued that such explanations often come after the damage has already been done.
He recalled that as a child, his parents regularly warned him to stay indoors whenever elections approached because of fears of violence.
“That is why when you look at total registration of voters vis-a-vis people that come out to vote, the percentage is highly discouraging,” he said.
The activist warned that repeated references to elections as battles, wars or confrontations could reinforce the fear that has historically discouraged Nigerians from voting.
He urged political parties to take responsibility for the conduct and language of their officials and supporters.
Sayo also called on the police, the National Human Rights Commission and the Independent National Electoral Commission to respond more firmly to inflammatory political rhetoric.
He warned that failure to impose consequences could encourage politicians to continue pushing the boundaries of acceptable campaign language.
“If you have done enough deterrent, then it will have reduced or most probably it wouldn’t come up again,” he said.
Sayo questioned the increasing association of firearms with political campaigns, asking when weapons such as the AK-47 became part of the language of elections.
He urged politicians to remember that their words could influence supporters and shape the security environment around polling.
The activist also recalled former President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration that his political ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian.
“Why don’t we learn from the golden statement of former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, that said my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian?” he asked.
Sayo nevertheless urged Nigerians not to surrender their democratic rights because of provocative statements by politicians.
“Do not be deterred with whatever comment anybody is saying,” he said.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the activist said political leaders must ensure that their rhetoric does not create the very fear that could keep voters away from the ballot box.