The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned Nigerians against taking up arms during elections under the guise of protecting their votes, saying security agencies have the legal authority to use force against anyone who engages in violent acts.
Keyamo gave the warning in a statement posted on X on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, saying some politicians were encouraging citizens and thugs to resort to violence while keeping their own children safely abroad.
The minister noted that such politicians were misleading vulnerable Nigerians into risking their lives for political interests.
“After safely ferrying their children abroad, some unscrupulous politicians are encouraging hapless citizens and thugs to take up weapons to kill one another under the pretext of ‘protecting their votes’. That’s fine,” he wrote.
Keyamo recalled the position taken by late former President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 general election, stressing that he still supported the former president’s stance against electoral violence.
Keyamo stated that anyone who takes up dangerous weapons and attacks others during elections should expect security personnel to respond within the limits of the law.
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The minister warned Nigerians against allowing themselves to be used by politicians, noting that while ordinary citizens bear the consequences of election violence, the families of those who incite them often remain outside the country.
Keyamo added: “Let me reiterate what late President Buhari said pre-2019 election (which I supported and I still support): when you resort to self-help and you take up dangerous weapons in the guise of ‘protecting your votes’ and you attack anybody, it is lawful and legitimate for law enforcement agents to ‘neutralise’ you or simple ‘put you down’ in the course of their duty.
“And the children of the politicians will be watching your foolishness from their safe haven somewhere in the world.
“Having been forewarned, you can then go ahead and exercise your options. CHIKENA!!”
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