Festus Keyamo has warned against electoral violence ahead of the 2027 elections, accusing some opposition politicians of encouraging citizens to take dangerous risks. He says the politicians’ children would remain safe abroad while ordinary Nigerians bear the consequences.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused opposition politicians, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, of encouraging Nigerians to risk their lives during the 2027 general elections while allegedly keeping their own children safe abroad.
Keyamo made the allegation in a post on X on Tuesday, warning citizens against taking up arms or engaging in violence under the guise of protecting their votes.
The minister alleged that some politicians were encouraging vulnerable Nigerians and suspected thugs to confront one another during elections, even as their families remained outside the country.
“After safely ferrying their children abroad, some unscrupulous politicians are encouraging hapless citizens and thugs to take up weapons to kill one another under the pretext of ‘protecting their votes’,” Keyamo said.
He referred to a warning made by former President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 general elections, saying he supported the position then and still stands by it.
Keyamo argued that anyone who resorts to self-help, carries dangerous weapons and attacks others while claiming to protect votes could be stopped by security operatives in the course of their duties.
He further warned that politicians encouraging such confrontations would not personally face the same risks as ordinary citizens.
“The kids of the politicians will be watching how foolish you are from a safe place somewhere in the world,” he added.
The minister’s comments come amid growing political activity and calls by opposition figures for voters to defend their votes during the 2027 elections.
While political parties and candidates have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the electoral process, the call to defend votes has raised concerns about the possibility of violence if interpreted as a licence for citizens to take up weapons or attack others.
Keyamo’s remarks were reported by Daily Post on November 3, 2026. His allegations against opposition politicians have not been independently established in the reports reviewed.