Pyrates Confraternity Warns Tinubu, APC, Other Parties Against Voter Intimidation Ahead Of 2027 | Sahara Reporters
Meribole, while recalling President Bola Tinubu’s “all is fair in politics” comment during a visit by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), criticised what he described as the celebration and mockery of the incapacitation of opposition parties as “ignoble and undemocratic.”
The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and leaders of other political parties against intimidating voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NAS Cap’n, Dr Charles Meribole, issued the warning in a statement titled “2027 Elections: A Choice, Not Warfare,” expressing concern over what he described as rising political intolerance and declining civility in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Meribole, while recalling President Bola Tinubu’s “all is fair in politics” comment during a visit by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), criticised what he described as the celebration and mockery of the incapacitation of opposition parties as “ignoble and undemocratic.”
He also drew attention to alleged threats by APC leaders against voters who may not support the ruling party, the reported blockade of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, in Benue State, and the killing of social media political commentator Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu.
He further criticised attempts by some clerics to frame the 2027 elections as a religious contest and called on Nigerians to reject politicians who promote violence.
“We unequivocally condemn the surge in political bigotry, violence, and the broader deterioration in civility among Nigeria’s political class. It is irresponsible and reprehensible for members of the political class, especially those of the ruling party, to threaten the electorate ahead of the 2027 elections,” he said.
“We reject in its entirety attempts by politicians to intimidate voters and influence voting patterns in 2027 through threats, harassment, and coercion.”
Meribole said electoral violence often begins with preventing candidates from campaigning and attacking citizens over their political preferences.
He stressed that it was unacceptable for politicians to turn every election cycle into “a season of political gangsterism and bloodletting.”
According to him, Nigerians have repeatedly suffered the consequences of desperate political actions and inflammatory rhetoric, which he said contributed to the demise of the First and Second Republics.
Meribole commended the Nigeria Police Force for arrests made in connection with the reported blockade of Obi’s convoy and the murder of Shagamu.
He, however, urged the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to move beyond investigations and prosecute politicians and their supporters who “persist in this assault on our democracy.”
He also renewed his call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Court to ensure the swift prosecution of individuals who attempt to legitimise threats and violence in a democracy.
Meribole further urged President Tinubu and leaders of all political parties to disown members whose conduct threatens democratic processes, saying this would demonstrate their commitment to democratic values.
“While political parties and their candidates have the constitutional right to woo the electorate for votes, they have no right to demand those votes forcibly or decide how Nigerians must vote.
“We implore Nigerians to reject intimidation and not to surrender to fear, but to gear up to come out and vote in the 2027 elections. It is their inalienable democratic right to vote for any political party or candidate of their choice. No amount of harassment should deny them this democratic right. Enough of the threats!” he stated.