The House of Representatives has constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate rising cases of political violence, attacks on political gatherings and disruption of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Fred Agbedi, and 16 other lawmakers during Thursday’s plenary.
Moving the motion, Agbedi expressed concern over attacks on political meetings, rallies and processions across the country, warning that the trend could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
He said, “The rising incidents, if left unchecked, may threaten the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections and undermine citizens’ confidence in the democratic process.”
The lawmaker stressed that Nigerians must be able to participate in political activities without fear, citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to peaceful assembly and association.
He urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid inflammatory remarks, discourage violence and work with security agencies to maintain peace.
Agbedi also called for an investigation into the reported attacks, urging the House to exercise its constitutional powers under Section 88 to examine the circumstances surrounding the incidents and assess the response of relevant authorities.
Citing previous cases, he recalled the disruption of political meetings in Enugu State on September 12, 2026, where two people were reportedly injured and one person allegedly killed.
He also mentioned an attack on supporters of the All Progressives Congress travelling to a rally in Katsina State on October 28, which reportedly resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects.
Other incidents highlighted included an attack on an APC rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on November 4, and violence during a political procession in Asaba, Delta State, on November 7, where one person reportedly died and five others sustained injuries.
According to Agbedi, the incidents “point to the need for urgent intervention to prevent political disagreements from degenerating into violence.”
He, however, cautioned against prematurely identifying those responsible, insisting that the allegations must be investigated impartially and supported by evidence.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House established a seven-member ad hoc committee chaired by the Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, to examine the causes and circumstances of politically motivated violence nationwide.
The committee has three weeks to complete its investigation and submit its report to the House.
Its membership includes the House Leader and Minority Leader, alongside the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the Committees on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence, as well as two additional lawmakers drawn from the committees.
The investigation comes amid increasing political consultations and preparations by parties and prospective candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The House is expected to use the committee’s findings to identify those responsible for the reported attacks and recommend measures to prevent further violence and protect citizens’ constitutional rights.
