Nigeria’s election season is heated not only because voters want to oust ineffective leaders or elect new ones, but also because of remarks made by some political figures.
Some well-known individuals have made remarks during campaigning that could endanger public safety in Nigerian elections.

Nigerians have at one time or another denounced individuals such as Odion Olaye, Nasir El-Rufai, and a few others for their remarks.

Below is a thorough analysis of the following cases, along with some noteworthy examples, in which Nigerian politicians have made statements regarding security or life during campaigns:

1. El-Rufai, Nasir (2019)

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai made a divisive speech during the 2019 general elections that caused a lot of controversy.

“We are waiting for the person who would come and intervene; they would go back in body bags,” he declared, addressing those who are pleading for someone to come and intervene in Nigeria. We’re waiting on the one who decides to step in and help. They will return in body bags because no one will visit Nigeria and offer advice on how to govern the nation. We are attempting to govern our nation as honourably as we can now that we have gained independence, and we are aware of the past of the nations that have attempted to impart these lessons to us. We’ve studied their past.

El-Rufai made his statement in response to people he thought were going to sabotage the elections.

His comments, which increased tensions in a politically unstable atmosphere and incited violence, were roundly denounced.

2. Olaye Odion (2024)

Odion Olaye, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State, made a statement that attracted a lot of attention prior to the state’s September 21 governor’s race. He stated, “I want to assure you that PDP, our party, is going to win Egor 80 percent come 21 of this month and on 22 of this month, they must declare Asue Ighodalo the winner.”

“Edo State will burn if they don’t do that.”

While supporting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, Olaye made this divisive statement.

The remark was interpreted as a violent threat in the event that the election outcomes

3. Kayode Fani (2023)

Femi Fani-Kayode, a well-known member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made a controversial statement during the 2023 presidential campaigns. He stated,

Fani-Kayode’s comments were criticised for possibly inciting violence, despite the fact that they were addressed at opposition organisations and meant to discourage them from interfering with the election in any way.

4. Godwin Obaseki

Should the recent incident in Benin City, which resulted in the death of a police officer, Inspector Akor Onuh, occur again, Governor Godwin Obaseki has vowed to incite breaches of peace throughout the entire country of Nigeria.

On the other hand, Governor Obaseki was heard telling a group of PDP supporters in a 41-second video that went viral online on Sunday that he would stand by them in the wake of the attack.

“We just remained silent on Thursday; and Nigeria will burn if they try what they tried last Thursday again.” and I really do mean it

That is not how you act. That phase is behind us now. We are not creatures… When we were silent the first time, I warned everyone of you that just because you are the ones who stand to lose, doesn’t mean that they should treat us like second-class citizens.The folks who did it want to come and arrest our boys instead of coming to arrest those who did it. In the brief video, Obaseki said, “Let them try.”

5. Martins Olu

In a widely shared video, Olu Martins, the deputy director-general (Media) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the organisation running for governor of Edo State, vowed to deal with Asue Ighodalo, the PDP’s opponent in politics.

The PDP spokesman was allegedly charged by the state police command for making provocative remarks in the state criminal court, and they were given bail.

On Friday, June 7, 2024, Martins made a menacing threat in the widely shared video, saying, “If some people leave the party, it will also create space for others.” We shall plead to stay with those who allow us to do so. When we get together, we’ll defeat those who left. I apologise; my name is Pastor.

I questioned them about the hoisting of the Olumide Akpata campaign billboard at Ring Road. Could you install another party’s flag where Tinubu is in Alausa?

Certain topics I am not allowed to discuss here. Olukoga gave me a strange look when I spoke to him. I told him that the kingdom has been plagued by violence since the time of John the Baptist and that it continues to do so. Who knows too much, who doesn’t know, their father.”