The Honorable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has cautioned supporters of political parties and politicians against taking up arms or resorting to violence in the name of protecting their votes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Minister said security forces would be justified in responding to anyone who attacks others while armed.
In a post on his official X-handle formerly (Twitter). Keyamo accused unnamed politicians of sending their children abroad while encouraging ordinary citizens and thugs to fight under the pretext of defending electoral outcomes.
He said such people would remain safe abroad while others bore the consequences of the violence.
“And the children of the politicians will be watching your foolishness from their safe haven somewhere in the world. Having been forewarned, you can then go ahead and exercise your options. CHIKENA,” the Minister said on X.
Keyamo’s comments revive a contentious 2019 warning by former President Muhammadu Buhari as political tensions rise ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Minister invoked remarks made by former President Muhammadu Buhari before the 2019 general election, when the then-president said security agencies had been directed to deal “ruthlessly” with anyone attempting to snatch ballot boxes or disrupt voting.
Buhari’s language drew criticism from opposition figures and some lawyers, while the Presidency defended it as a warning to those endangering voters and electoral officials.
The Minister said he supported Buhari’s position then and still does.
“When you resort to self-help, and you take up dangerous weapons in the guise of ‘protecting your votes,’ and you attack anybody, it is lawful and legitimate for law enforcement agents to ‘neutralise’ you,” Keyamo wrote in the post on X.
The warning comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares for presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027, followed by governorship and state assembly elections on February 6 of the same year.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan has urged political actors to avoid intimidation and electoral violence, while the commission says it is working with security agencies on an intelligence-led structure to protect polling units, election workers and voters.
His statement adds to mounting concern over campaign-related clashes and intimidation as parties begin mobilising for the 2027 elections.
