Photo: President Bola Tinubu — file photo — Ricardo Stuckert / PR via Wikimedia Commons
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the rising violence at political gatherings across Nigeria and authorised security agencies to confront thuggery and other anti-democratic activities with full force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President gave the directive in a personally signed statement issued by the State House on Friday, November 13, titled "Let's Shun Violence: Our Campaigns Must Be About Issues That Promote the Welfare of Our People."
- Tinubu says every form of violence stands condemned ahead of the 2027 elections
- Security agencies are authorised to confront thuggery "with full force"
- The statement follows Thursday's attack on an NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos
Why Tinubu issued the thuggery order now
"Every form of violence stands condemned. Violence should never have a place in our political campaigns as we move toward the 2027 general elections," the President said.
"I want to reiterate my previous directive to the security agencies: be strict and firm against anyone who seeks to test our resolve and will to preserve public order," he added. "Security agencies are therefore authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force."
Tinubu also warned that his administration would not tolerate irresponsible conduct by politicians or their supporters, and said that pursuing different ambitions or belonging to different parties does not make political actors enemies.
The Oregun attack behind the statement
The directive came a day after suspected armed thugs invaded a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting in Oregun, Ikeja, on Thursday, scattering supporters and smashing vehicle windscreens.
That attack is already under investigation by the Lagos State Police Command, and the House of Representatives has set up an ad hoc committee on political violence.
It also followed a string of reported attacks and disruptions at party gatherings in several states over the past two months, as campaign activity builds toward 2027.
What happens next
The order now puts the security agencies on the record: any further attacks on rallies, town halls or campaign events will test whether the "full force" directive is enforced on the ground.
Opposition parties, which have blamed ruling-party supporters for several of the recent incidents — allegations the APC has denied — will be watching for arrests and prosecutions arising from the Oregun attack and Thursday's other incidents.
Credit: The Sun and ThisDay reports of the President's statement, November 13-14, 2026.
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