Reports of violent attacks at political party rallies and general insecurity raise concern as campaigns intensify ahead of the 2023 general elections. The Zamfara State Government on Friday, 14th October 2022 announced the suspension of political activities indefinitely due to the resurgence of insecurity in the State, particularly banditry and killing of people in different parts of the State. However, a rally was held by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Gusau, the State capital on Saturday, 15th October 2022, against the government’s ban and was characterised by violence, as supporters of the party and those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were said to have clashed. This resulted in the death of one person while 18 others sustained injuries. Similarly, on Monday, 17th October 2022, thugs were reported to have invaded the venue of the PDP presidential campaign rally in Kaduna State with weapons and attacked the party’s supporters.
Insecurity in different parts of the country has escalated in recent time. With the 2023 general elections approaching, the state of insecurity coupled with electoral violence constitute threats to the peaceful conduct of the upcoming elections and therefore require urgent attention. Political parties and their candidates need to call their supporters to order, refrain from smear campaigns against other candidates, inciteful campaign based on religious and ethnic sentiments, and focus instead on issue-based campaign. It is also important to note that acts of electoral violence constitute electoral offences punishable under the Electoral Act 2022, and other laws in force in Nigeria. Therefore, security agencies should be on alert in the period leading up to the elections in order to ensure public safety, and a peaceful atmosphere for citizens to engage in the electoral process.