A constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has warned that political intimidation and attacks on opposition figures pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ahiakwo said democracy would lose its meaning if citizens became afraid to express dissenting opinions, support opposition parties or hold political office holders accountable.
He said political opposition should not be regarded as disloyalty, while criticism of government should not attract threats, harassment or violence.
The lawyer, in an interaction with journalists in Calabar on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, said the use of threats, violence or abuse of public authority to silence opposing voices went beyond political rivalry and amounted to an assault on constitutional democracy.
He cited Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association, including the right to belong to political parties.
He also referenced Sections 33, 34 and 42, which protect the rights to life, human dignity and freedom from discrimination, including on grounds of political opinion.
Ahiakwo maintained that these constitutional guarantees were not privileges to be granted or withdrawn by political leaders, insisting that no government or political organisation had the right to undermine them because of a citizen’s political affiliation.
He further cited the Court of Appeal judgment in Inspector-General of Police v. All Nigeria Peoples Party & Ors. (2007), which upheld the right to peaceful political assembly and rejected arbitrary restrictions on political rallies.
Expressing concern over recent political developments in Cross River and Kebbi States, he said allegations of intimidation and attacks on political actors required impartial investigation.
According to him, political coalitions and realignments are legitimate democratic activities, but must not be turned into instruments for suppressing dissent.
He added that allegations of anti-party activities should be handled through established party procedures rather than intimidation or coercion.
Ahiakwo warned that normalising political intimidation could deepen insecurity, widen social divisions and erode public confidence in democratic institutions.
He urged security agencies to remain impartial as the 2027 elections approach, while calling on political leaders to exercise restraint and ensure that politically motivated violence was investigated and perpetrators held accountable, irrespective of their political affiliations.
He also urged opposition parties to conduct their activities peacefully and within the law.
The lawyer said Nigeria must not become a country where citizens were free to vote but afraid to express their political convictions, stressing that the Constitution must remain superior to the interests of those temporarily wielding political power.