With about two weeks to the commencement of the Nigerian general elections, a wave of political violence in three states led to the deaths of about seven people over the weekend. The states include:

Delta state: Violence resulting in the death of three people was reported in the Effurun area of Warri, a city in Delta state as thugs loyal to the main rival political parties – the People’s Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress, clashed. 

Oyo State: In Oyo State, two people were killed during a campaign rally of the APC gubernatorial candidate in the state, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. The two dead persons were members and supporters of the APC. They lost their lives in a clash between the party supporters and thugs belonging to the rival PDP.

Kogi State: Two people were also killed in Kogi State during a PDP House of Representatives candidate’s political rally in Itama community situated in the Dekina constituency of the state. The clashes involved both the PDP and the APC supporters who allegedly invaded the rally with weapons in a bid to disrupt it. 

The International Crisis Group had, in a report, indicated that the 2019 elections could potentially be more fatal than the previous 2015 election and gave six high risks states to watch. Curiously, none of the states aforementioned in this article were listed in the Crisis group report.