Political violence against campaign property is not “politics as usual.” In Nigeria it is a crime, and morally it is an admission that you cannot win on ideas.
What It Is
Destroying vehicles: Burning, smashing opponent’s campaign buses, branded cars, motorcycles
Defacing campaign office: Breaking windows, pulling down signposts, painting over, burning office
Defacing posters / billboards: Tearing, spraying, covering opponent’s materials
Moral Implications
It destroys democracy itself
Democracy is competition of ideas. When you destroy opponent’s vehicle, you are saying: “I don’t want voters to hear them.” That is censorship by force.
It creates a cycle of revenge
One party burns a bus today, the other burns an office tomorrow.
we have seen this escalate to killing of supporters. Leaders who order or celebrate it own that escalation.
It betrays voters
Voters want roads, security, light – not thugs. A party that cannot protect opponent’s property cannot protect your life and property if elected.
It normalizes criminality for youths
When youths are paid to destroy, you teach them violence pays.
After election, the same youths become the bandits and kidnappers terrorising Nigerians
It is cowardice, not strength
A strong campaign does not need to tear opponent’s poster.
If your record is good – like the mini-grids in Kogi, or 176 rescued in Kwara – you win by showing it, not by hiding the opponent.
Legal Implications in Nigeria
Electoral Act 2022
Section 92: A campaign shall not be tainted with abusive, intemperate, slanderous language likely to provoke violent reaction.
Section 93 – Prohibition of use of force or violence during political campaign:
A party, candidate, aspirant, or person or group of persons shall not directly or indirectly threaten any person with the use of force or violence during any political campaign in order to compel that person or any other person to support or refrain from supporting a political party or candidate.
Penalty – Section 93(2): For candidate / aspirant / person, maximum fine of N1,000,000 or imprisonment for 12 months
For a political party, fine of N2,000,000 in the first instance, and N500,000 for any subsequent offence.
Criminal Code / Penal Code – Applies in North Central
Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Plateau use Penal Code:
Mischief / Criminal Damage: Willful destruction of property – up to 2 years imprisonment
Arson: Burning vehicle or office – up to life imprisonment
if building is inhabited, 14 years if not
Criminal Trespass, Assault, Unlawful Assembly:
If thugs enter office and beat staff, additional charges
Constitution 1999 (as amended)
Section 40: Freedom of association – right to belong to any party and campaign peacefully
Section 41: Freedom of movement – destroying vehicle prevents opponent from moving freely to campaign
Who is liable?
Not only the thug who threw the stone:
The person who sponsored it
The party chairman / candidate who incited it – “go and destroy” is incitement
The party itself can be fined
Victim party can also sue in High Court for damages – cost of vehicle, office renovation, lost campaign time.
What Should Campaigns Do Instead?
Document: Video, photograph, get police report within 24 hours
Do not retaliate: Retaliation makes you equally guilty
Report: To INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and Police Commissioner file civil suit
Win on message: Show your projects – roads, schools, rescues – instead of breaking opponent’s bus
Destroying opponent’s vehicle or defacing office is not politics.
Morally it shows you have no message. Legally it can land thugs, sponsors, and even candidates in prison, and cost your party votes.
– Benjamin Ibrahim writes from Lokoja, Kogi state.
+2348069596250
