SNOW TV NEWS DESK
The European Union has expressed concern over growing reports of political violence, hate speech,ta State, on November 7, when an attack on a political procession and rally organized by NDC supporters reportedly left one person dead and five others injured.
The National Peace Committee has also disclosed that it recorded 60 election-related incidents within one month, including violence, intimidation, and threats.
Addressing the gathering, Mignot warned that such developments threatened the democratic environment required for credible elections.
He stressed that free media, peaceful assembly, civil society participation, and open political discussions were essential to ensuring transparency and allowing Nigerians to scrutinize candidates without fear of harassment or retaliation.
The EU ambassador also pledged continued support for institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and civil society organizations, clarifying that the European Union’s objective was not to interfere in Nigeria’s elections but to strengthen local institutions responsible for protecting democracy.
Meanwhile, NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu warned that democracy could gradually weaken when citizens are denied the freedom to speak, assemble, and participate in political activities.
He expressed concern over voter intimidation, hate speech, arbitrary arrests of journalists and human rights defenders, restrictive nomination fees, and the alleged misuse of laws, including provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
Ojukwu also identified impunity for electoral offenses as a major threat, arguing that perpetrators would continue to violate electoral laws if there were no meaningful consequences.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), through its National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, also urged political parties and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, political tolerance, and responsible communication.
Dantalle warned that political competition must not turn into warfare, insisting that opponents should not be treated as enemies.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the concerns raised by the EU, NHRC, and IPAC highlight a critical challenge for Nigeria: ensuring that political ambition does not come at the expense of human lives, civil liberties, and public confidence in the electoral process.
Ultimately, credible elections require more than peaceful voting on election day. They depend on protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring that political participation remains safe throughout the electoral cycle.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
