The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety) has threatened to pursue international sanctions, including possible travel restrictions to Europe and the Americas, against six Nigerian governors over alleged political intolerance ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governors named by the organisation are Charles Soludo of Anambra, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Peter Mbah of Enugu and Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.
In a statement issued in Enugu on Tuesday, InterSociety accused the governors and their loyalists of allegedly intimidating opposition figures, abusing state power, restricting opposition activities and shrinking civic space.
The organisation described the alleged developments as an emerging “axis of political intolerance” across parts of the South-East, South-South and North-Central, particularly against the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
InterSociety also cited alleged attacks on opposition supporters in Enugu, threats against political and community leaders in Ebonyi, and restrictions on opposition activities in Anambra, Benue, Edo and Imo.
It further alleged that Obi was prevented from entering Benue State on two occasions and referenced a reported gun attack during an NDC ward meeting in Enugu that allegedly left four people injured.
The group also raised concerns about the preparedness and independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing alleged problems with the voters’ register, PVC production, voter transfers and missing names on polling-unit registers.
InterSociety urged the affected governors to desist from actions capable of overheating the political environment and called on opposition parties to closely scrutinise INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
The organisation warned that continued political intolerance and alleged electoral manipulation could attract international consequences, saying it would intensify advocacy for measures against officials implicated in such conduct. The governors and their administrations were not given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before publication.
