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The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has condemned the killing of Kano-based political commentator, former journalist and social media influencer, Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu, the reported obstruction of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State, and what it described as prohibitive political advertising charges in some states.
The political parties’ umbrella body warned that the developments, coming ahead of the 2027 general elections, could deepen a dangerous political culture in which violence, intimidation and financial power determine who can meaningfully participate in Nigeria’s democracy.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP said the killing of Dan Shagamu was particularly disturbing, insisting that the circumstances surrounding his death must be thoroughly investigated and that no possible motive should be prematurely ruled out.
“Dan Shagamu was a journalist, political commentator and social media influencer whose principal weapon was his voice. He used journalism, political commentary and social media to participate in public discourse and hold political authorities accountable,” the CNPP said.
It described his reported killing at his residence in Gaida, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State as “deeply disturbing,” particularly amid reports that he had previously received threats and had changed residence over security concerns.
While commiserating with his family, colleagues and the people of Kano State, the CNPP demanded “justice, not speculation; accountability, not cover-up; and a transparent investigation capable of establishing exactly what happened and why.”
The organisation welcomed the Kano State Police Command’s reported arrest of suspects but urged investigators to go beyond identifying those allegedly involved in the immediate attack.
According to the CNPP, the investigation should establish the circumstances leading to the killing, the identities and networks of all those involved, the motive, whether the attack was planned or preceded by surveillance, and whether previous threats against Dan Shagamu were connected to his journalism or political commentary.
The group said investigators should examine all possibilities, including robbery, personal disputes and political silencing, stressing that the possibility of political motivation could not simply be dismissed.
“The possibility of political motivation cannot simply be dismissed, especially when an outspoken political commentator is violently killed as the country approaches another fiercely contested electoral cycle,” it said.
The CNPP further linked the killing to the broader question of the safety of journalists, activists, political commentators, opposition voices and ordinary Nigerians participating in democratic processes.
It maintained that democracy goes beyond voting every four years, encompassing the rights to speak, criticise government, support or oppose political parties, publish opinions, organise and participate in public affairs without fear of violent reprisal.
“No Nigerian should have to choose between exercising freedom of expression and staying alive,” the CNPP declared.
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Peter Obi Convoy Blockade
The political parties’ body also condemned the reported obstruction of Peter Obi’s convoy while travelling to Yelwata in Benue State to commiserate with victims of the 2025 attacks.
The CNPP said reports indicated that youths mounted roadblocks along the Makurdi-Gboko road on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, preventing Obi and his entourage from reaching their destination.
It noted that Obi had condemned the incident and appealed to young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence.
The CNPP also acknowledged the denial by the Benue State Government of any involvement in the alleged obstruction, stressing that the matter should be subjected to an impartial investigation rather than premature attribution of responsibility.
According to the organisation, the incident raises a fundamental question about whether Nigerians, political parties and candidates can freely move across the country, engage voters and express their political views without intimidation.
“Democracy cannot survive where political affiliation restricts movement, opponents are treated as enemies of the state, or access to communities is controlled by political actors,” it said.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. No party or government has a proprietary right over any part of the federation.”
The CNPP consequently called on security agencies to identify those who mounted the roadblock and determine whether any political or official actors sponsored, facilitated or tolerated the action.
‘Politics Must Not Become a Luxury for the Wealthy’
The organisation also raised alarm over reported multimillion-naira charges for political billboards and outdoor campaign advertisements in some states.
It cited reports that Cross River State had reportedly fixed ₦150 million for presidential campaign advertisements and ₦100 million for governorship advertisements, while Kogi State had reportedly approved a ₦150 million presidential billboard tariff. Enugu State, it added, had also reportedly required a ₦150 million campaign advertising permit for political parties and candidates.
While recognising the authority of state governments to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain public aesthetics, the CNPP warned that such powers must not be deployed in ways that price ordinary Nigerians, smaller political parties and less wealthy candidates out of political participation.
“A democracy in which only candidates backed by enormous financial war chests can communicate effectively with voters is not one of equal opportunity,” the organisation said.
It argued that excessive campaign advertising charges could shift political competition away from competence, ideas and character towards financial capacity.
“When candidates must spend tens or hundreds of millions of naira merely to access legitimate campaign advertising space, the system risks rewarding financial capacity rather than ideas, competence, character, integrity and capacity to govern,” it said.
The CNPP warned that such policies could further strengthen the influence of wealthy financiers and political godfathers over candidates and elected officials.
It therefore called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), state signage and advertising agencies, political parties and civil society organisations to examine the cumulative impact of political advertising charges on the competitiveness of the 2027 elections.
It also demanded clarity on the legal basis of the charges, their calculation and application, as well as their treatment under electoral campaign-finance reporting requirements.
Warning Against Weaponising Nigerian Youths
The CNPP equally warned political parties and political actors against recruiting young Nigerians as instruments of electoral violence.
It said Nigerian youths should instead be empowered to participate as voters, candidates, campaigners, policy advocates, journalists, community leaders and agents of development.
“The recruitment of young Nigerians as political thugs is an assault on the future of the country,” it stated, urging political parties to stop treating youths as “expendable instruments of electoral violence.”
The CNPP said the combined effect of political intimidation, physical obstruction, threats against outspoken citizens and excessive campaign costs could create a political environment in which only the wealthy, powerful and politically connected would be able to campaign effectively.
It warned that such an environment could have consequences far beyond the 2027 elections.
“When competent citizens are discouraged from seeking office because they cannot afford political participation, the country loses potentially capable leaders,” the organisation said.
“When campaigns are dominated by money, candidates may prioritise financiers over voters. When opponents are obstructed, intimidated or denied access to communities, voters lose the opportunity to hear competing ideas.”
CNPP Demands Inclusive 2027 Elections
The CNPP called on the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, INEC and political parties to protect Nigerians’ constitutional rights to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, political association and expression.
It demanded a comprehensive investigation into Dan Shagamu’s killing and urged authorities to ensure that journalism, political commentary and legitimate criticism of government do not become grounds for violence.
It equally called for a full investigation into the reported Peter Obi convoy blockade and urged state governments to review political advertising charges that could make democratic participation accessible only to the highest bidders.
The CNPP said the 2027 elections must be based on ideas, competence, character and credible programmes rather than violence, intimidation or financial muscle.
“Nigeria’s democracy must move from exclusion to inclusion; from money to competence; from intimidation to persuasion; and from political violence to peaceful competition,” it declared.
The organisation added that the ultimate purpose of political competition should be to produce governments capable of improving citizens’ lives, creating opportunities for young people, strengthening local economies, improving security and delivering quality healthcare, education and jobs.
“Dan Shagamu must not die in vain. His death should strengthen, rather than silence, the demand for a Nigeria where citizens can speak without fear, candidates can campaign without obstruction, journalists can work without intimidation and voters can freely choose their leaders,” the CNPP said.
It urged all stakeholders to ensure that the 2027 elections become “a contest of ideas, competence, character and credible programmes—not a contest of violence, intimidation and financial muscle.”
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