Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has cautioned Nigerians against taking up arms under the guise of safeguarding their ballots during the upcoming 2027 general elections, stating that security forces are justified in neutralising violent actors. The warning, issued on his official social media handle on Tuesday, echoes a similar stance previously taken by former leader Muhammadu Buhari prior to the 2019 polls.
Keyamo criticised certain political actors for inciting ordinary citizens and suspected thugs to bear weapons and perpetrate violence during electoral exercises while shielding their own families by sending them abroad. The aviation minister emphasized that individuals who resort to self-help, brandish dangerous weapons, and attack fellow citizens under the pretext of vote protection must understand the grave consequences of confronting law enforcement agents performing their constitutional duties.
What did the minister say about politicians and their families?
According to Keyamo, unscrupulous politicians often orchestrate violence while their children watch safely from abroad. He noted that after safely ferrying their offspring out of the country, these politicians encourage vulnerable citizens to engage in lethal conflicts. "Having been forewarned, you can then go ahead and exercise your options. CHIKENA!!" Keyamo concluded, referencing a warning he initially supported during Buhari's administration.
What is the legal implication of violence during elections?
Under Nigerian electoral laws and security frameworks, law enforcement agencies are mandated to maintain public order and protect citizens during elections. Security experts have repeatedly clarified that armed individuals, regardless of their stated motives such as vote protection, are treated as threats to public safety and can be lawfully intercepted or neutralised by security personnel deployed to polling units and collation centres.