> A freshly sworn-in APC chairman in Ebonyi State has issued chilling warnings to opposition supporters — raising serious questions about democratic freedom and the silence of security agencies.
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The newly sworn-in Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, Eze Paul Ituma, has wasted no time making his presence felt — and not in the way Nigerians would hope. Shortly after taking his oath of office, Ituma reportedly issued a stern warning to opposition political parties and their supporters, telling them in clear terms to stay out of political activities in his domain.
Na So Democracy Dey Work for Nigeria?
For many Nigerians watching from the sidelines, this kind of threat is unfortunately nothing new. From the oil-rich Niger Delta to the red-earth roads of Ebonyi, the story often repeats itself — a ruling party official steps into power and almost immediately begins to flex political muscle against those who dare to hold a different opinion.
What makes this situation particularly troubling is the deafening silence from security operatives. As of the time of this report, no arrests have been made, no invitations have been issued, and no security agency has publicly acknowledged the alleged threat. Yet, if the roles were reversed and it were an opposition figure making such remarks, many Nigerians believe the response would have been swift and severe.
The 2027 Shadow Is Already Here
We are still years away from the 2027 general elections, yet the political temperature in many Nigerian states is already reaching boiling point. Politicians are staking their territories, warning off rivals, and in some cases, allegedly deploying both official and unofficial muscle to secure their strongholds.
Ebonyi State, under the APC-controlled government, has been no stranger to political tension. The scenario playing out in Ohaukwu LGA is a microcosm of a larger, deeply worrying trend — one where voters are being intimidated before they even get the chance to make a choice.
Where Are the Security Agencies?
This is the question every concerned Nigerian must ask out loud.
The Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to belong to any political party of their choice and to participate freely in the democratic process. Any act of intimidation or threat against voters or opposition members is not just morally wrong — it is a criminal offence.
Yet, time and again, when APC officials in various states make these kinds of remarks, security agencies appear to develop a sudden case of selective amnesia. No invitations. No questioning. No statements. Nothing.
INEC, the police, the DSS — all of whom have constitutional mandates to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic space — must be held accountable for their silence in moments like these.
Nigerians Must Speak Up Now — Not in 2027
If Nigerians wait until election season to react to voter intimidation, it will be too late. The groundwork for rigging, suppression, and political violence is always laid long before the actual election. Threats like the one allegedly issued by Chairman Ituma are not just political posturing — they are the early warning signs of a democracy under siege.
Civil society organisations, human rights groups, the media, and ordinary Nigerians must raise their voices now. Opposition parties must document every threat and report them through every available legal channel. And most importantly, security agencies must prove — through action, not words — that no politician is above the law in Nigeria.
Democracy is not a gift from politicians — it is a right belonging to every Nigerian. Anyone who threatens that right must be held accountable, regardless of which party they belong to.
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