The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into reported cases of political violence, attacks on political gatherings and disruption of political activities across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The House also constituted a three-week ad hoc committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of politically motivated violence and recommend measures to prevent further attacks.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Fred Agbedi, and 16 other lawmakers during Thursday’s plenary.
Leading the debate on behalf of the sponsors, Agbedi condemned incidents of violence, intimidation, assault and destruction of property associated with political rallies, meetings, processions and other lawful political activities, irrespective of the political parties or individuals affected.
He warned that the growing incidents, if left unchecked, could threaten the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections and undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
Citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Agbedi reminded lawmakers that every citizen had the right to assemble freely and associate with others, including the right to form or belong to political parties.
He argued that citizens must be able to participate in political activities without fear of attacks or intimidation, stressing that the security and welfare of the people remained the primary responsibility of government.
To underscore the urgency of the motion, the Minority Leader cited several reported incidents of political violence across the country.
He recalled the disruption of political meetings in Enugu State on September 12, 2026, during which the police reportedly confirmed that two attendees were injured, while one person was allegedly killed.
He warned that the incidents pointed to the urgent need for intervention to prevent political disagreements from degenerating into violence, further loss of lives and destruction of property.
He also cited an attack on APC supporters travelling to a rally in Katsina State on October 28, which reportedly resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects.
In Nasarawa State, he recalled the attack on an APC rally in Lafia on November 4, where several people were reportedly injured.
Agbedi further drew attention to a violent incident during a political procession in Asaba, Delta State, on November 7, in which the police reportedly confirmed that one person was killed and five others injured.
The lawmaker, however, cautioned against premature conclusions on those responsible, insisting that allegations surrounding the incidents must be subjected to impartial, thorough and evidence-based investigations.
He urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid inflammatory statements, discourage violence and cooperate with security agencies to maintain public order.
Agbedi also called on the House to invoke its investigative powers under Section 88(1) of the Constitution to examine the circumstances surrounding the reported incidents and scrutinise the performance of public authorities responsible for enforcing relevant laws.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House constituted an ad hoc committee chaired by the Leader of the House, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, to investigate the immediate and remote causes of politically motivated violence across the country.
The committee comprises the House Leader and Minority Leader, chairmen and deputy chairmen of the House Committees on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence, alongside two additional members drawn from the committees.
It was given three weeks to conclude the investigation and submit its findings to the House.
The investigation comes amid growing political consultations and preparations by parties and prospective candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, with concerns mounting over the safety of political gatherings and citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of association and assembly.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
