The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a strong warning to politicians ahead of the 2027 general election, stating that no political ambition is worth a Nigerian’s life.

INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan issued the warning on Monday in Abuja during a strategic workshop for editors hosted by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the electoral commission.

Amupitan stated that political parties, candidates, and campaign managers who engage in violence, intimidation, hate speech, or vote buying will face sanctions and prosecution.

According to the commission chairman, INEC has activated an early warning framework through the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, or ICCES, to monitor political violence, thuggery, and potentially dangerous campaign rhetoric.

Amupitan said, “Democracy thrives on the clash of ideas, not the clash of weapons or the proliferation of hate speech.”

He added, “No political office in this country is worth the blood of a single Nigerian.”

The chairman also stated that he had been shown evidence alleging that an NDC candidate in Kano State campaigned while brandishing a firearm. He also revealed that INEC officials were allegedly threatened with AK-47 rifles.

Amupitan stated that the commission was collaborating with organizations like the EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU to combat illicit campaign spending and would take an unwavering stance against vote buying.

In addition, he revealed that INEC had purchased 57,000 new BVAS devices prior to the elections, and that over 10.6 million new voters had been registered during the three stages of the Continuous Voter Registration campaign.

With INEC emphasizing the need for credible and peaceful elections, the warning comes as political activity picks up in the run-up to the 2027 elections.