2027: Seadogs call for electoral offences court

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The National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as the Pyrates Confraternity, has renewed its call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Court ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The association said the specialised court would ensure the speedy prosecution of individuals who perpetrate or legitimise electoral threats, violence and other offences capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.

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The NAS Cap’n, Dr Charles Meribole, made the call in a statement he signed, titled, “2027 Elections: A Choice, Not Warfare,” made available to PUNCH Online on Monday, while expressing concern over alleged political intimidation, violence and declining civility among political actors ahead of the elections.

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Meribole said the country could not afford to repeat the cycle of electoral violence and impunity that had characterised some previous elections.

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He urged the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to ensure that investigations into reported cases of political violence did not end with arrests, but resulted in the prosecution of those found culpable.

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The NAS Cap’n commended the police for arrests reportedly made in connection with the alleged blockade of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, in Benue State, as well as the killing of social media political commentator, Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu.

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He, however, said the authorities must ensure that all those responsible for such acts, including politicians and their supporters, were brought to justice.

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Meribole said, “We renew our call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Court to ensure the speedy prosecution of individuals who attempt to perpetrate or legitimise electoral threats and violence.”

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He also condemned what he described as the growing use of threats, harassment and coercion by political actors to influence voters ahead of the 2027 elections.

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According to him, electoral violence often begins with the prevention of candidates from campaigning, attacks on citizens because of their political preferences and other acts designed to undermine free participation.

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He warned politicians against turning elections into periods of “political gangsterism and bloodletting”, stressing that Nigerians should be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidates and political parties.

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The NAS Cap’n further urged President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of political parties to disown members whose conduct undermined democratic values.

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He said political parties and candidates had the constitutional right to canvass for votes but had no right to forcibly demand votes or dictate how Nigerians should vote.

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Meribole urged Nigerians to resist intimidation and come out to exercise their democratic rights during the 2027 elections.

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