Kano‑born Alhaji Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urged members of the Obi‑Kwankwaso Movement to bring kerosene and fire‑making devices to polling stations during Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Galadima made the remarks on Saturday at the OK Movement Unity Summit in Abuja, warning that no candidate would be allowed to assume the presidency with a “stolen mandate” in 2027.
The ADC leader claimed that supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were already planning to bypass the ballot box, saying they would “write the results and take it by force.” He referenced comments allegedly made by former President Bola Tinubu in the run‑up to the 2023 election, in which Tinubu purportedly instructed his followers to “snatch it, grab it, and run with it.” Galadima appealed to the international community and civil‑society organisations to intervene, describing the situation as a struggle against “fascist” forces.
“I am alerting the international community about the kind of people we are dealing with,” Galadima said. “Saving a country from this is not a small thing; it requires sacrifice and strategy.” He added that activists must be ready to “be in the trenches to safeguard our freedom” and cautioned that the task would not be easy.
During his address, Galadima instructed participants to bring “bottles and jerrycans of kerosene” to polling stations, stating, “Either they do what is right or we all die there so there will be no beneficiary.” He framed the call to action as a measure to prevent electoral fraud and ensure legitimate outcomes.
The statements have drawn attention from security agencies and electoral observers, who monitor the conduct of elections across Nigeria’s 36 states. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not commented on the specific threats outlined by Galadima but reiterated its commitment to a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process.
International partners, including the African Union and the European Union, have previously urged Nigerian stakeholders to uphold democratic norms ahead of the 2027 vote. The current rhetoric underscores heightened tensions as the country approaches another pivotal election cycle, raising concerns about potential violence and the need for robust safeguards to protect democratic institutions.
