2027: SNPM Condemns Attacks on Opposition, Demands Arrests in Anambra

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The Southern Nigeria People’s Mandate (SNPM) has condemned alleged attacks on opposition political parties and their supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the incidents as undemocratic and calling on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible.

The organization also urged President Bola Tinubu to caution members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against political violence, intimidation and other activities capable of undermining the country’s democratic process.

The chairman and founder of SNPM, Augustine Chukwudum, made the call in a press statement issued to journalists on Sunday, expressing concern over what he described as increasing attacks on opposition parties and their candidates across the country.

Chukwudum alleged that opposition politicians and their supporters had been subjected to repeated intimidation and attacks, accusing the authorities of failing to respond adequately to the situation.

He said the development was capable of creating tension and undermining public confidence in the electoral process if urgent steps were not taken to address it.

“Southern Nigeria People’s Mandate wishes to condemn in strong terms what is happening in Nigeria as the 2027 general election approaches.

“We are raising this alarm based on attacks on opposition political parties and their candidates with impunity, while the President Bola Tinubu-led APC Federal Government appears to maintain a deaf ear to the ugly development,” he said.

The SNPM chairman further alleged that political violence was increasingly being used as a means of intimidating opposition candidates and supporters ahead of the elections.

He recalled that President Tinubu had benefited from Nigeria’s democratic process and argued that political competition should not be conducted through violence, intimidation or suppression of opposing voices.

Chukwudum also expressed concern over reports of attacks, killings and intimidation involving opposition supporters, insisting that political disagreements should be resolved through democratic engagement rather than violence.

He warned that political power was not permanent and urged public office holders and their supporters to respect democratic principles and the rights of other citizens.

The organization also linked the country’s political tensions to the prevailing economic hardship, citing rising living costs, fuel prices, hunger and insecurity as major concerns confronting Nigerians.

According to him, the economic challenges facing citizens should compel political leaders to priorities governance, accountability and the welfare of the people rather than engage in activities capable of aggravating their suffering.

“If President Tinubu says he inherited a failed economy, three years should have provided sufficient time to demonstrate measurable progress in addressing the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.

“Instead, we are witnessing what we consider worsening economic hardship under his administration,” he stated.

Chukwudum further called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to remain politically neutral, stressing that their constitutional responsibility was to protect lives and property irrespective of political affiliation.

He urged security operatives to investigate reported cases of political violence, identify those involved and ensure that anyone found culpable was prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The SNPM also criticized what it described as attempts by some state governors to restrict opposition parties from exercising their constitutional right to campaign and mobilize supporters in their respective states.

It called on political leaders across party lines to embrace tolerance, peaceful engagement and respect for democratic freedoms as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The organization maintained that credible elections could only thrive in an atmosphere where all political parties and candidates enjoyed equal protection under the law and were allowed to freely exercise their democratic rights.