The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has condemned the killing of popular Kano-based political commentator, former journalist and social media influencer, Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu, the reported blockade of the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in Benue State, and the emergence of prohibitive political advertising charges in some states, warning that Nigeria risks sliding into a political culture where intimidation, violence and money determine who can participate meaningfully in democracy.
The CNPP, through its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, described the killing of Dan Shagamu as particularly disturbing and unacceptable, stressing that the death of an outspoken citizen in circumstances suggesting a violent attack must not be treated as an ordinary criminal incident without thoroughly investigating every possible motive.
“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.
“His brutal death at his residence in Gaida, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State is therefore deeply disturbing, particularly against the background of reports that he had previously received threats.
“The CNPP commiserates with his family, friends, colleagues, professional associates and the people of Kano State over this tragic loss. We demand justice, not speculation; accountability, not cover-up; and a transparent investigation capable of establishing exactly what happened and why.”
According to the CNPP, the Kano State Police Command’s arrest of suspects in connection with the killing is a welcome initial step, but the investigation must go beyond identifying immediate suspects.
“The authorities must establish the circumstances leading to the attack, the identities and networks of everyone involved, the motive, whether there was prior surveillance or planning, and whether the victim had received threats connected to his journalism or political commentary.
“Reports that Dan Shagamu had previously received anonymous death threats and had changed residence because of security concerns make it imperative that investigators examine all possible lines of inquiry.
“The CNPP notes that the police investigation must establish the facts, including whether the incident was connected to political silencing, robbery, a personal dispute or any other motive.
“However, 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.”
The CNPP said the killing should be viewed within the broader context of the safety of journalists, political commentators, activists, opposition voices and ordinary citizens participating in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Democracy is not merely the right to vote every four years. It includes the right to speak, criticise government, support or oppose political parties, publish opinions, organise, associate with others and participate in public affairs without fear of assassination or violent reprisal.
“If citizens begin to believe that speaking openly about government and politics can cost them their lives, then democracy itself is under attack.
“No Nigerian should have to choose between exercising freedom of expression and staying alive.
“The CNPP therefore calls on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and professionally supervised investigation into the killing of Dan Shagamu and ensure that every person found culpable, regardless of status or political connection, is brought to justice.”
The umbrella body of registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria also condemned the reported obstruction of Peter Obi’s convoy while travelling to Yelwata in Benue State, describing the development as another disturbing indication of the growing intolerance of political differences in the country.
“Reports indicate that youths mounted roadblocks along the Makurdi-Gboko road on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, preventing Mr. Obi’s convoy from reaching Yelwata, where he was expected to commiserate with victims of the 2025 attacks.
“Mr. Obi condemned the incident and appealed to young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence.
“The Benue State Government has denied involvement, insisting that it neither sponsored nor deployed thugs to obstruct the former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate. The CNPP acknowledges this denial and calls for an impartial investigation rather than premature attribution of responsibility.”
The CNPP said the issue extends beyond Mr. Obi, the NDC or any political party.
“It concerns whether Nigeria is building a political culture in which citizens, parties and candidates can move freely across the federation, engage voters and express their views without intimidation or politically motivated obstruction.
“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.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. No party or government has a proprietary right over any part of the federation.
“The CNPP therefore urges security agencies to investigate the Benue incident, identify those who mounted the roadblock and establish whether any political or official actors sponsored, facilitated or tolerated the action.”
The CNPP warned that the incidents in Kano and Benue must not be viewed in isolation from the wider political environment emerging ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The combination of political intimidation, physical obstruction, threats against outspoken citizens and increasingly prohibitive costs of political communication presents a dangerous challenge to Nigeria’s democratic development.
“One restricts who can physically reach citizens. Another threatens the safety of those who speak. Yet another determines who can afford to be heard.
“Taken together, these tendencies can produce a political environment in which only the wealthy, powerful and politically connected are able to campaign, speak freely and compete effectively.”
The CNPP therefore expressed concern over reports that some states have introduced extremely high charges for political billboards and outdoor campaign advertisements.
“Recent reports indicate that Cross River has reportedly fixed ₦150 million for presidential campaign advertisements and ₦100 million for governorship advertisements, while Kogi has reportedly approved a ₦150 million presidential billboard tariff. Enugu has also reportedly required a ₦150 million campaign advertising permit for political parties and candidates.
“The CNPP recognises the legitimate authority of state governments to regulate outdoor advertising, maintain public aesthetics and enforce reasonable signage standards. However, such powers must not become instruments for pricing ordinary Nigerians, smaller parties and less wealthy candidates out of electoral 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 CNPP said excessive campaign advertising charges could encourage the politics of money over competence.
“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.
“Candidates unable to afford such charges may be marginalised, while those backed by wealthy financiers gain disproportionate visibility.
“This could deepen the influence of moneybags, political godfathers and undisclosed financiers over candidates and elected officials, making public office holders more responsive to financiers than to ordinary citizens.
“That is precisely the opposite of the representative democracy Nigeria needs.”
The CNPP cautioned state governments against revenue-driven political advertising policies that create unnecessary barriers to political participation.
“Political advertising regulation should be transparent, reasonable, non-discriminatory and connected to legitimate regulatory objectives. It must not disproportionately disadvantage opposition parties, emerging movements, independent-minded candidates or those without enormous private resources.
“The CNPP calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), state signage and advertising agencies, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to urgently examine the cumulative effect of these charges on the competitiveness of the 2027 elections.
“There must be clarity regarding their legal basis, calculation, payment, treatment as electoral expenditure for campaign-finance reporting and whether their application is genuinely neutral among parties and candidates.”
The CNPP stressed that political competition must be based on ideas and the ability to convince voters, not on who can afford the largest billboard tariff, command the greatest number of political thugs or intimidate the loudest opposition voices.
“We cannot claim to be deepening democracy while erecting financial, physical and psychological barriers to political participation.
“The right to contest elections, campaign peacefully, move freely, communicate with citizens, criticise government and seek votes must not become the exclusive preserve of the wealthy and politically connected.
“Nigerians must never be made to choose between political participation and personal safety.”
The CNPP further warned political parties against weaponising young Nigerians.
“The recruitment of young Nigerians as political thugs is an assault on the future of the country.
“Our youths should be empowered to participate in democratic governance as voters, candidates, campaigners, policy advocates, journalists, community leaders and agents of development—not weaponised against fellow citizens.
“Political parties must stop treating young Nigerians as expendable instruments of electoral violence.”
The CNPP said the ultimate consequence of restricting political participation could extend 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.
“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.
“When journalists and commentators fear that their political opinions could make them targets, public discourse becomes impoverished.
“And when voters are denied genuine choices, democracy is reduced to periodic elections without meaningful competition.”
The CNPP therefore called for an electoral environment in 2027 where every candidate, regardless of party, wealth or political status, can campaign peacefully and lawfully throughout Nigeria.
“We urge the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, INEC and all political parties to protect citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, political association and expression.
“We demand that the murder of Dan Shagamu be thoroughly investigated and that Nigerians be given confidence that political commentary, journalism and legitimate criticism of government will not become a death sentence.
“We demand that the circumstances surrounding the Peter Obi blockade be investigated and that no political actor, group or government be permitted to turn public roads or communities into political no-go areas.
“And we demand that state governments review excessive political advertising charges that risk converting democratic participation into a luxury available only to the highest bidder.”
The CNPP concluded:
“Nigeria’s democracy must move from exclusion to inclusion; from money to competence; from intimidation to persuasion; and from political violence to peaceful competition.
“The purpose of political competition is not merely to win elections. It is to produce governments capable of improving ordinary Nigerians’ lives, expanding opportunities for young people, strengthening local economies, improving security, delivering quality healthcare and education, creating jobs and ensuring that government works for citizens at the grassroots.
“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 2027 elections must therefore become a contest of ideas, competence, character and credible programmes—not a contest of violence, intimidation and financial muscle.”