The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, has called on the National Peace Committee, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to convene an all-party summit to address rising political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dickson warned that the increasing attacks on NDC members, candidates and supporters could undermine the credibility and peaceful conduct of the elections if urgent steps were not taken to contain the situation.
He made the call in a statement released on Sunday, urging the Inter-Party Advisory Council and the peace committee chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, to work with INEC and security agencies to address the growing tensions among political parties.
The former Bayelsa State governor said political violence had no place in a democratic society, stressing that disagreements among political parties must not degenerate into attacks and intimidation.
He said, “I am deeply concerned about the increasing incidents of violence and attacks targeted against the Nigeria Democratic Congress and its candidates and supporters. Several party leaders and I have had cause to speak against this in the past.
“Whatever the circumstances, violence has no place in our democratic process.
“In view of this disturbing development, I call on the Inter-Party Advisory Council and the Gen Abdulsalami-led Peace Committee in conjunction with INEC and the security agencies to urgently convene an all-party summit to address this growing monster before it consumes our democracy.”
Dickson said the proposed summit would provide an opportunity for political parties to renew their commitment to peaceful, fair and transparent elections.
He warned that the growing incidents of violence could create a dangerous atmosphere capable of complicating or undermining the 2027 elections even before the commencement of the electoral process.
The call comes about a month after the National Peace Committee raised concerns over rising political tensions and warned President Bola Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and other political actors against inflammatory statements and incitement ahead of the 2027 polls.
The committee, chaired by Abubakar and convened by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, had also raised the alarm over 60 election-related incidents recorded across the country within one month.
The incidents reportedly included political violence, intimidation, threats, attacks on political activities and the spread of misinformation.
In the statement jointly signed by Abubakar and Kukah, the committee urged political leaders to exercise restraint and promote peaceful political engagement ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, Dickson disclosed that he had held discussions with party leaders over concerns recently raised by some NDC officials, directing that their grievances be addressed and their interests taken into consideration.
He said preparations were also underway to assign party members to committees and directorates of the National Campaign Council.
According to him, the party leadership has been directed to expedite the release of the lists and provide financial support to state chapters to strengthen their operations ahead of the elections.
The former governor also urged the party’s National Assembly, state assembly and governorship candidates to prioritise the recruitment, verification, identification and training of polling agents.
He said the party was working towards ensuring adequate representation at polling units nationwide, adding that candidates should collaborate with the presidential campaign team and other political parties, where necessary, to strengthen their agent networks.
Dickson said candidates must be actively involved in the process because they would be on the ballot and would have the responsibility of defending the party’s votes.
He added that the process of compiling and decentralising the agents’ lists for uploading should be concluded quickly to allow training to commence later in November and continue throughout December.
“The 2027 election is an agent based election,” he said.