Gombe Faces New Kind of Political Violence as 2027 Elections Near

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 elections, Gombe State is facing a new kind of political violence. This violence is moving from the streets to smartphones. Security officials, political experts, and civil society leaders are worried that traditional political violence is changing. Misinformation, hate speech, and online threats are now fueling real-life conflicts, as reported by Chima Azubuike.

Early one Sunday morning, just as Christians were getting ready for church, a shocking message about a supposed bandit attack on a church in Akko Local Government Area was sent out in a WhatsApp group for a community in Gombe State. The message was short but alarming.

Residents were told that trouble was brewing in Pindiga and they should either prepare to fight back or avoid church. Within minutes, the warning spread to other groups.

Another message claimed that supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress were attacking opposition campaign vehicles. Residents were urged to leave the area immediately. Panic took over, despite no actual attack taking place at that moment.

Some people questioned the information. Others acted quickly. A few started calling family and friends. No one seemed to know who sent the original messages. No one could confirm if the claims were true. This is the reality of the new political battleground.

A smartphone can spread a rumor faster than any political campaign vehicle. A fake video can spark anger before anyone checks if it is real. An anonymous post on Facebook can stir up heated debates among supporters of different political parties. A WhatsApp message can turn political disagreements into personal fights.

The Gombe State Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, warned that the results could be dangerous. "One click can now cause more damage than a bullet, and one false post can set a whole community on fire," Chuso said.

He made this statement during the launch of the National Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery. This campaign was organized by the Gombe State Police Command to mark the 2026 International Youth Day. It took place under the theme, "My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery," as directed by Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

But this police campaign raises a bigger question. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, can the country stop old-fashioned political thuggery from moving to new technologies? For many years, political violence has relied on young men being mobilized to threaten opponents, disrupt rallies, and support their political bosses. In Gombe, the notorious Kalare gangs are an example of this, accused of stealing and attacking openly.

Now, the same political fights are happening on screens. The tools have changed, but the aim remains the same in many cases. For a young jobless Nigerian, politics can sometimes offer what formal jobs do not: recognition, money, and a sense of belonging. This vulnerability makes young people an important target for political mobilization.

They are essential at rallies and dominate social media. They create campaign content, run WhatsApp groups, influence peers, and can be persuaded to defend political interests fiercely. Political analyst Goje Sati believes that any serious talk about political thuggery should not only blame young people but also explore why they are easily mobilized.

"You cannot solve political thuggery simply by telling young people not to be thugs. You have to ask why a young person is willing to risk his freedom or even his life for a politician. If the immediate reward is money, protection, or access, then the real problem is a political economy that has made violence profitable," Sati said.

This raises a tough question: What happens to these young people after the elections? The politician might secure a party ticket or win an election. But the young person recruited to fight may still live in the same neighborhood, facing the aftermath of their actions.

If they are arrested, the politician may not be around. If they are hurt, the campaign might already be over. If they die, no election victory will bring them back. This is the human cost often ignored when discussing political violence during elections.

Old Thug, New Thug

The traditional political thug was easy to spot. They would be around rally venues with sticks or clubs. They would move in groups. Digital thuggery is different. A person can be alone in a room, attacking others online. They may not even know the people they are targeting or the political opponent they aim to damage.

But their posts can reach thousands. Chuso noted that this change is a growing threat to democracy. "Political violence, electoral thuggery, fake news, hate speech, cyberbullying, and other forms of digital manipulation undermine our democratic process, threaten public peace, and expose our youths to needless legal and social consequences," he said.

The campaign aims to get youths to reject violence and misuse of digital platforms. "Think before posting or reposting any information," he advised. This advice is crucial because digital political violence can easily move from online to offline.

A false claim can lead to real confrontations. A misleading statement about a political candidate can rally supporters. An inflammatory message can spread fear. A doctored video can be accepted as proof by people who don't verify it. The screen may be digital, but the consequences are real.

WhatsApp: New Political Battlefield

WhatsApp has become a major political battlefield. The challenge is that much of the political discussion happens without public oversight. WhatsApp groups have turned into community noticeboards, campaign offices, and information hubs.

But they are also breeding grounds for misinformation. A message from a trusted friend can seem more credible than a well-researched news report. People often do not ask where the information came from or who posted it first.

The phrases, "I was sent this" or "copied," are becoming common substitutes for verification. This danger grows during elections when political supporters feel strongly attached to their candidates. When a message seems to confirm that an opponent has done something wrong, supporters may believe it without checking.

This creates what political experts call information bubbles, where people only see views that reinforce their beliefs. The result is political division. Opponents stop being fellow citizens with differing opinions and start becoming enemies. Once political opponents are seen as enemies, abusive language can become normal.

Sati pointed out that politicians share the blame. "The mistake we often make is to look only at the young person who is carrying out the violence. We should also ask who recruited him, who financed him, and who benefits from what he is doing. If the system punishes the foot soldier and leaves the political sponsor untouched, then the cycle will continue," he said.

This distinction is essential. A police campaign can teach youths. Law enforcement can arrest offenders. Courts can prosecute suspects. But policing alone cannot solve a problem driven partly by political incentives.

If political players think aggressive supporters can help them win elections, there will always be people willing to play that role. Therefore, political parties and candidates must take responsibility for their supporters' behavior. They must discourage violence, even against opponents, and stop viewing political aggression as a sign of loyalty.

Women Caught in Crossfire

For women, the digital political arena poses an added risk. When a woman joins a political debate, she can be attacked for more than her views. Her appearance may come under fire. Her family could be dragged into the dispute. Her marital status might be questioned. Sexual insults can replace political discussions.

Women’s leader Cynthia Sabo argues that this behavior can push women away from politics. "When a woman speaks in politics and the response is to attack her character, family, or sexuality, that is not political debate. It is intimidation. Digital platforms should not become spaces where women are punished for participating," she said.

The implications go beyond individual victims. Women already lack representation in many political spaces. If online abuse becomes the norm, some women might feel that the cost of speaking publicly is too high. This would further shrink Nigeria’s political landscape.

Digital platforms were supposed to open up political participation by allowing citizens to talk directly with leaders and each other. But without proper safeguards, these platforms can repeat the exclusion and intimidation found in traditional political settings.

Where Does Digital Thuggery Begin?

Yet, there is another danger: when does fighting against digital thuggery start to threaten legitimate political criticism? In a democracy, questioning the government is vital. Journalists must investigate public officials. Civil society groups must demand accountability. Opposition parties must challenge those in power.

This makes the role of civic-space advocates very important. Umar Ahmed argues that the fight against misinformation should not cover up dissent. "We must be careful not to define every uncomfortable political statement as digital thuggery. Democracy needs disagreement. The issue is whether someone is sharing an opinion or spreading lies, threatening people, or inciting violence. The state must protect citizens from digital harm while keeping civic space open," Ahmed said.

This distinction is crucial. Saying a government has failed is not digital thuggery. Criticizing a politician is not digital thuggery. Supporting an opposition candidate is not digital thuggery. But deliberately spreading false information to incite violence is a different story.

So is threatening opponents, sharing personal information to harass people, and organizing abuse to scare political participants. The police campaign will need transparency to gain public trust. Citizens must know that enforcement won't depend on political ties.

One False Post, Many Consequences

The most dangerous part of digital misinformation is how quickly it spreads compared to corrections. A false claim can circulate in five minutes, while a correction might take five days to reach the same audience. By then, people may have already formed opinions or even acted on them.

That is why Chuso’s warning that "one false post can set a whole community on fire" needs serious attention. This reflects a reality that is hard to ignore: online actions can lead to real-life consequences. A rumor about a supposed attack can cause panic. A false election result can spark suspicion. A made-up statement can rally supporters.

A fake photo can make an old event seem current. Political figures can exploit these weaknesses. Sadly, artificial intelligence is making the problem worse. It adds more layers to an already complex digital environment. It is becoming easier to manipulate images, create fake audio, and produce convincing videos.

The average voter may not always tell real content from fake. A political candidate could seem to say something they never actually said. A public figure's voice could be imitated, and a photo could be altered to create a false impression. This means that media literacy is now a civic necessity. Citizens must learn to question what they see online. They must understand that a photo is not proof. A video may not be real, and a voice note might not be genuine.

Just because it is shared by someone they trust does not make the information true.

Price of Loyalty

The sad truth is that young people often pay the highest price for political conflicts they did not create. The politician may have protection, but the young supporter may not. The politician may have lawyers, while the young person does not. The politician may have the means to relocate, but the young person remains in the same community.

That is why the campaign’s focus on the future is so important. Chuso said political thuggery has "turned our youths into tools of destruction instead of builders of the future." This statement gets to the heart of the issue. The country needs young people to build businesses, innovate, work in public services, create jobs, and engage meaningfully in democratic processes.

But political violence can turn some into temporary tools for settling political scores. The benefits are often immediate, but the consequences last long-term.

Politicians Must Be Watched

For the campaign to have lasting effects, political figures must join the conversation. Political parties should publicly promise peaceful campaigns. Candidates must discipline supporters who use violence. Party structures should reject inflammatory messages. Political sponsors must not support violent mobilization.

When violence happens, accountability should go beyond the person caught at the scene. The same principle should apply online. A person who creates a fake account to spread lies should not escape scrutiny just because they are behind a screen. Nor should influential political figures who encourage their supporters to attack opponents.

Digital anonymity should not equal political impunity. The 2027 elections will test Nigeria’s ability to handle politics in the digital age. Campaigns will take place at rallies and on phones. Political parties will use digital teams. Candidates will rely on influencers. Supporters will manage WhatsApp groups. Videos will spread through communities, and artificial intelligence may make fake political content more convincing. The question is whether the country’s institutions will be ready.

The police have started this conversation, but it cannot end with them. The Independent National Electoral Commission must continue voter education. The National Orientation Agency should strengthen civic education. Political parties must take responsibility for their supporters. Civil society must monitor political actions. Traditional and religious leaders should encourage restraint. Journalists must verify information. Technology users must act responsibly. Young Nigerians must understand that political loyalty should never cost them their future.

Chuso urged participants at the campaign to "leave here with a renewed commitment to promoting peaceful political participation and responsible digital citizenship." This commitment will be tested in real life.

It will be tested when someone insults a political opponent in a WhatsApp group, when a shocking video appears on Facebook, or when a friend forwards an unverified claim. When a politician’s supporter calls for online attacks against an opponent, it will be tested at rallies, at polling units, and when election results come in.

The success of the anti-thuggery campaign should not just be measured by how many youths attend educational programs. It should be measured by whether the political atmosphere changes.

Can politicians compete without urging young people to fight? Can supporters disagree without threatening each other? Can women participate without facing gender-based abuse? Can citizens criticize the government without being labeled enemies? Can law enforcement penalize real digital incitement without suppressing real dissent? Can social media become a tool for political education instead of manipulation?

These are the questions that will decide if the campaign leads to real change.

Different Political Commitment

There are signs that some political actors see the need for a new approach. The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Gombe State, Dr Jamil Gwamna, has promised to run a clean, issue-based, and people-focused campaign for the 2027 governorship election. In a statement from his spokesperson, Ibrahim Sani Shawai, Gwamna said his campaign would deal with the challenges facing residents instead of personal attacks or distractions.

"From the very beginning, I made it clear that I will run an issues-based campaign. I have no interest in politics of insults, personal attacks, or needless distractions," he said. Gwamna said this commitment would guide his campaign, stressing that "Gombe Above All" would define his political approach.

His campaign will focus on job creation, economic growth, empowering youth and women, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, investment, and innovation. "We believe that Gombe has the human and natural resources to become one of Africa’s leading economies with visionary leadership and the collective efforts of our people," he said.

Gwamna plans to present his detailed plan for the state when the governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns officially start. He said the plan will emphasize "Continuity, Sustainability, and Consolidation," building on the current administration's successes while addressing new challenges.

He aims to create more opportunities for residents, enhance living standards, and ensure fair development across the state. Gwamna called on political actors, supporters, and residents to keep the peace and conduct political activities with respect, prioritizing the state's interest over personal differences.

But ultimately, the choice is bigger than any single campaign. It is a choice between being tools in someone else’s power struggle and being active participants in shaping the country's future. As 2027 nears, this choice will affect not just the quality of Nigeria’s elections but also the democracy the next generation will inherit.

The young person holding a phone today will still be holding their future long after the politician whose message they forwarded has left office. The politician’s campaign may last months. The election may last one day, but the aftermath of violence can last a lifetime. That is why the message from Gombe’s police campaign needs to go beyond the event: "My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery." For Nigeria’s youth, it must become more than just a slogan.