EDITORIAL: Why Oro cults, pankere flogging of voters witnessed in Lagos 2023 elections must not be repeated in 2027 – A call to Tinubu, APC and INEC
This warning is not a threat; it is a patriotic responsibility that The DEFENDER, as a global online newspaper, considers necessary to discharge in the interest of Nigeria’s peace, stability and democratic future. No journalist, teacher, lawyer, judge, politician, even security man who also has family or ordinary citizen can thrive in an atmosphere of chaos and insecurity. The EndSARS protests of October 2020 must remain a serious lesson for all stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum. The growing “TINUBU MUST GO” sentiment among Nigerians already burdened by economic hardship should not be dismissed or treated as empty. If legitimate grievances are ignored and the electoral process loses public confidence, the resulting tension could become even more difficult to manage. The anger of a frustrated population is not something any government should underestimate.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, there is an urgent need to protect the integrity of the electoral process in Lagos State. Allegations of intimidation involving Oro traditional practices, traditional rulers, police and other security agencies, as well as pankere flogging and the activities of suspected political thugs popularly known as agberos during the 2023 elections must not be ignored. They deserve serious attention to ensure that voters can exercise their constitutional rights without fear.
This is a call by The DEFENDER to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who undoubtedly has been in control of Lagos politics and power even after over 20 years of leaving office as governor, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the 2027 elections in Lagos are free, fair, peaceful and credible.
The controversy surrounding the 2023 elections in Lagos raised questions about voter intimidation, the freedom to choose candidates and the ability of electoral authorities to protect citizens from violence. Reports and allegations of voters being threatened, attacked or prevented from participating in the elections damaged public confidence in the process. Such incidents, wherever established, must never be allowed to become a recurring feature of Lagos politics.
No traditional practice should become a tool of electoral intimidation
Oro is a traditional institution with cultural and religious significance in parts of southwestern Nigeria. However, concerns arise when the timing or enforcement of traditional restrictions coincides with elections in ways that may frighten voters or limit their participation.
Cultural practices must be treated with respect, but they should not be used to undermine the constitutional rights of citizens. No eligible voter should be forced to choose between observing a traditional restriction and exercising a lawful right to vote under circumstances where the two come into conflict.
Traditional institutions and community leaders should therefore work with relevant authorities to ensure that cultural observances do not become instruments of political intimidation.
And politicians in control of state power, who hold the authority to protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should not be found behind energizing the infractions that those responsible for the political Oro committed at elections in Lagos State especially this coming 2027. Such politicians, if found wanting, must not only be banned from participating in leadership recruitment processes that elections are mean to achieve but also, they must be prosecuted and sentenced for treason.
Pankere flogging and political thuggery have no place in democracy
Equally troubling are allegations of voters being flogged with pankere, a whip traditionally associated with physical punishment, or threatened by individuals suspected of acting on behalf of political interests.
The activities of violent political enforcers, including some people popularly described as agberos, have also featured in public concerns about security and political competition in Lagos State.
It is important to distinguish allegations from proven incidents and avoid attributing criminal conduct to an entire occupational or social group. Nevertheless, the 2023 incidents were not an hearsay. They were real as evidenced in video threats by Agbero elements and many attacks that non-Yoruba residents particularly Igbo were subjected to in the build-up to the elections and throughout the period the voting lasted.
At any rate, anyone who threatens, assaults or obstructs voters should be investigated and prosecuted where evidence establishes an offence, regardless of political affiliation or social status.
Elections are meant to provide citizens with the opportunity to choose their leaders freely. Violence, threats and coercion defeat that purpose. A voter who enters a polling unit out of fear, or stays away because of threats, cannot enjoy the full benefits of democratic participation.
Tinubu and APC must demonstrate commitment to credible elections
President Tinubu’s long political association with Lagos and the APC’s position as the governing party in the state make their responses to concerns about electoral violence particularly important.
The President and his party should make it clear that political victory cannot justify intimidation, violence or the suppression of opposing views. They should also cooperate with lawful investigations into credible allegations of electoral offences, irrespective of the individuals involved.
This is not a demand that any party should be denied victory. It is a demand that every party should have an equal opportunity to compete and that the people, rather than intimidation, should determine the outcome.
The APC must demonstrate that it is prepared to compete on the strength of its policies, candidates and record of governance. Opposition parties must enjoy the same freedom to campaign, mobilise supporters and persuade voters.
INEC and security agencies must act before election day
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and the Commission’s leadership must take preventive measures well before the 2027 elections.
INEC should work with security agencies, civil society organisations, political parties and community leaders to identify and address credible threats to voters. Electoral officials must remain impartial, while security personnel must protect all voters and candidates without political discrimination.
The police and other relevant security agencies should investigate threats and attacks promptly, establish effective reporting channels and ensure that perpetrators face the law. Political parties should also publicly discourage violence and cooperate with authorities to prevent their supporters from engaging in unlawful conduct.
Voters must be able to travel to polling units, cast their ballots and return home safely, regardless of the candidates they support.
Lagos must not become a symbol of electoral fear
Lagos is too important to Nigeria’s democracy for concerns about electoral intimidation to be treated casually. Its political diversity should be a source of democratic strength, not a reason for fear or hostility.
The 2027 elections provide an opportunity for INEC, political parties, traditional institutions and security agencies to demonstrate that lessons can be learned from past controversies.
The DEFENDER’s message to Tinubu, APC and INEC is clear, therefore, that: No voter should be flogged, threatened, assaulted or prevented from voting because of political preference. Allegations of the misuse of traditional practices or the deployment of political thugs must be investigated fairly, and preventive measures must be put in place before the elections.
Democracy cannot flourish where citizens fear the consequences of exercising their rights.
In 2027, Lagos voters must be allowed to choose freely, without intimidation from any political camp or other interest. Let the ballot, not the whip; persuasion, not threats; and the will of the people, not fear, determine who wins.
Lagos deserves elections in which every lawful vote counts and every voter can exercise their civic rights without fear, intimidation or violence. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, have critical roles to play in ensuring a peaceful, credible, transparent and accountable electoral process in 2027. They must also recognise that Nigeria and the international community will hold them and relevant authorities accountable if electoral violence erupts in 2027 because reasonable early warnings were ignored by them.
This warning is not a threat; it is a patriotic responsibility that The DEFENDER, as a global online newspaper, considers necessary to discharge in the interest of Nigeria’s peace, stability and democratic future.
No journalist, teacher, lawyer, judge, politician, even security man who also has family or ordinary citizen can thrive in an atmosphere of chaos and insecurity. The EndSARS protests of October 2020 must remain a serious lesson for all stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum. The growing “TINUBU MUST GO” sentiment among Nigerians already burdened by economic hardship should not be dismissed or treated as empty. If legitimate grievances are ignored and the electoral process loses public confidence, the resulting tension could become even more difficult to manage.
The anger of a frustrated population is not something any government should underestimate. The responsibility of those in authority is to address legitimate concerns, protect citizens’ rights and ensure that the ballot box remains the peaceful and credible means through which Nigerians express their political choices.
The DEFENDER wants a peaceful Nigeria, sustained by credible elections in 2027. This requires deliberate action in Lagos State and across all states of the federation. Electoral integrity, voter safety and accountability must not be mere campaign promises; they must be guaranteed in practice.
A peaceful and credible 2027 election is possible. It is achievable. It is a responsibility we must all embrace.
God bless Nigeria.
