A wave of electoral violence has reportedly rocked Wakama Ward, where the Director-General of the APC campaign organisation and 12 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were allegedly attacked by suspected ethnic militia believed to be loyal to Labour Party candidate, Labaran Maku.

Sources from the area disclosed that the attackers, armed with machetes and axes, inflicted serious injuries on several victims during the assault. Many of those attacked sustained varying degrees of injuries, while two victims are currently receiving treatment in hospital for severe wounds.

One of the victims, Ezekiel Baba, was initially declared missing in the aftermath of the attack, raising fears about his safety. However, following a swift response by personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), he was rescued and taken to hospital for medical attention.

Sources further alleged that operatives of the NSCDC apprehended one of the suspected attackers, identified as Peter Assi, a former Councillor of Wakama Ward and a known political associate of Labour Party candidate, Labaran Maku. Security authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the arrest and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The incident has heightened tensions in the area and raised serious concerns about voter safety and the conduct of the ongoing Nasarawa North Senatorial Bye-Election. Residents and political stakeholders have called on security agencies to swiftly investigate the attack, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure adequate security for voters and election officials.

The APC has strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a dangerous act of political violence capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

Security authorities are yet to issue a comprehensive official statement on the incident, while efforts to obtain a response from the Labour Party candidate and other relevant stakeholders were ongoing at the time of filing this report.

The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has converted a recent legal threat into a political launchpad. Following an appellate court victory that halted an attempt to deregister the party, the Kwara ADC has declared its full readiness to contest the 2027 general elections.

A Federal High Court judgment by Justice Peter Lifu originally ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC along with four other opposition parties.

The decision was met with an outcry by opposition coalition who alleged the judicial action was another manipulative scheme to cripple opposition politics in the nation and give an unearned leap to ruling parties for the 2027 election cycle.

The “threat however, disappeared into thin air as the Court of Appeal in Abuja swung into action and delivered a strong rebuff on the lower court. A stay of execution of the deregistration order was issued by the Court of Appeal.

Experts and political leaders in opposition said the lower court’s ruling had contravened judicial hierarchy as courts above had already issued a stay of proceedings. It has returned to status quo, following the successful legal defence as the Kwara State chapter of the ADC has called an emergency State Executive Committee meeting at its State Secretariat, Ilorin.

Party stakeholders have already turned the page from the legal battle to an intensive grassroots mobilisation as party structures have been instructed to get set for the next election cycle.

“This issue, while appearing like a setback, has only united us more than before,” said the Kwara State Chairman of ADC, Babatunde Muhammed, who assured that “

The Court of Appeal intervention in our case has revived my confidence in the country’s judicial system, and that you cannot simply rubbish an existing political movement because you have access to some judges.

We remain unruffled” he added. Consequently, all ADC Candidates and ward executives in Kwara State have been tasked to commence voter outreach immediately with a unit-by-unit grassroots mobilisation plan that aims to put the current ruling party on the defensive by articulating how the ADC platform and agenda contrast with the performance of the incumbent administration.

The new approach of Kwara ADC will focus primarily on local security issues, fiscal and economic management and ensuring a free and fair electoral system in 2027 election.

Nigeria’s democracy faces mounting pressure from two persistent threats: voter apathy and the dominance of money in politics. The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), alongside Search for Common Ground, has warned that these forces are eroding citizen participation and weakening democratic institutions.

At a joint press conference in Abuja marking Democracy Day 2026, IPCR Director-General Dr. Joseph Ochogwu stressed that Nigeria’s democratic challenges stem not from the system itself but from declining civic engagement. He argued that democracy thrives only when citizens actively participate, hold leaders accountable, and reject manipulation.

Ochogwu identified several drivers of voter apathy: declining trust in institutions, fear of electoral violence, unmet governance expectations, and the widespread belief that individual votes do not matter. These factors, he said, discourage citizens from voting and weaken the legitimacy of elected governments.

When citizens withdraw from democratic processes, space opens for manipulation, misinformation, and electoral malpractice. Ochogwu warned that disengagement undermines accountability and allows narrow interests to capture democratic institutions. He urged Nigerians, especially young people, to see elections not as routine events but as the primary means of exercising sovereignty.

Beyond apathy, the monetisation of politics poses another grave danger. Ochogwu described money politics as a systemic driver of disenfranchisement. Wealthy elites dominate political participation, while ordinary citizens are excluded from meaningful influence. Within parties, financial considerations often determine outcomes, sidelining merit and ideas.

Exclusion and Inequality
The dominance of money in politics widens inequality, restricting opportunities for citizens without financial power to contest or participate. Ochogwu warned that this distortion undermines democratic fairness and entrenches a system where governance is shaped by wealth rather than public interest.

Ochogwu also highlighted terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism as enemies of democracy. These threats erode public confidence in institutions and hinder development. He stressed that insecurity compounds the challenges of apathy and money politics, creating a fragile democratic environment.

Gift Omoniwa, Director of Programmes at Search for Common Ground, raised concern about Nigerian youth being vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups. She warned that without meaningful engagement, young people could be drawn into violence, further destabilising democracy.

Omoniwa outlined efforts to counter these risks, including a reality television programme showcasing youth resilience and alternatives to extremism. She reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to working with government, civil society, and communities to promote peace and democratic governance.

Ochogwu closed his remarks by reminding Nigerians that democracy requires collective responsibility. He echoed President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day appeal, stressing that democracy is bigger than any individual and depends on shared commitment and continuous engagement.

Since 1999, Nigeria has maintained uninterrupted civilian rule, the longest stretch in its post-independence history. Yet this achievement remains shadowed by low voter turnout, political violence, and the outsized influence of money. The warnings from IPCR and Search for Common Ground underscore the urgent need for reforms that strengthen civic participation and reduce the grip of money on politics.

Nigeria’s democratic survival depends on citizens rejecting apathy and resisting money politics. Without active participation and fair competition, democracy risks becoming hollow, vulnerable to manipulation and exclusion. The call from IPCR and Search for Common Ground is clear: Nigerians must reclaim their democracy by engaging, voting, and demanding accountability.