…Centre urges political leaders to respect institutional independence, uphold rule of law and protect businesses from electoral disruptions
…outlines five immediate commitments expected from political leaders and state institutions.
SUN NOV 15 2026-theGBJournal| The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that rising political violence, intimidation and threats to institutional independence could undermine Nigeria’s investment climate and economic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a policy brief titled Political Violence and Institutional Neutrality: Safeguarding Investor Confidence Ahead of the 2027 Elections, the centre called on political leaders, political parties and state institutions to exercise restraint, uphold the rule of law and protect the stability of the business environment.
The CPPE said the growing incidence of politically induced violence and inflammatory rhetoric raised serious concerns about the potential consequences for investment decisions, business operations, employment and economic growth.
It stressed that while political competition was a legitimate feature of democracy, its degeneration into violence, institutional manipulation and disregard for due process could impose significant economic costs on the country.
“Nigeria cannot afford an electoral process that compounds existing economic vulnerabilities or undermines the gains of ongoing economic reforms,” the centre said.
Political violence threatens investment, economic stability
The CPPE strongly condemned the rising incidence of politically motivated violence, describing it as not merely a threat to democratic governance but also a significant economic risk.
It identified investment uncertainty, business disruptions, capital flight, exchange-rate pressures, higher operating costs and damage to Nigeria’s investment reputation among the potential consequences.
According to the centre, heightened political risk could discourage fresh investments, delay business expansion plans and increase the risk premiums demanded by investors.
It warned that political clashes, insecurity and violent protests could disrupt commercial activities, supply chains, logistics and access to markets.
Prolonged instability could also weaken investor sentiment, trigger portfolio outflows and intensify foreign-exchange volatility, further complicating the country’s economic management.
Businesses, it added, could face additional expenditure on security, insurance, transportation and contingency arrangements, while persistent political violence could diminish Nigeria’s attractiveness to domestic and foreign investors.
The economic consequences, the CPPE noted, would be particularly severe for small businesses, informal enterprises and investors with substantial fixed assets that could not be easily relocated.
It called for unequivocal condemnation of political violence, irrespective of its perpetrators or beneficiaries, insisting that electoral ambitions must never take precedence over the security of lives, property and investments.
The centre also urged security agencies to act proactively, impartially and decisively to prevent violence and ensure that perpetrators and their sponsors were held accountable.
CPPE demands institutional neutrality
The centre identified the neutrality, independence and operational effectiveness of critical state institutions as essential to a peaceful political transition and a stable investment environment.
It specifically called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to operate independently, transparently and professionally, without political interference or intimidation.
Security agencies, it said, must provide impartial protection for political actors, electoral officials, citizens and economic assets, without selective enforcement or partisan considerations.
The judiciary must also remain independent and accessible to ensure credible, timely and lawful resolution of electoral disputes.
Similarly, regulatory and law enforcement institutions must not be deployed as instruments of political intimidation, selective sanctions or partisan advantage.
The CPPE said the civil service and public administration must maintain professionalism, ensure continuity of essential services and uphold neutrality in the management of public resources.
It warned that the politicisation of state institutions could create risks extending beyond the electoral process by weakening the rule of law, undermining regulatory predictability and increasing perceptions of arbitrary government action.
Such developments, it added, could erode investor confidence in the protection of investments and contractual rights.
“Institutional neutrality is therefore not simply a democratic obligation; it is a fundamental requirement for investment security and economic competitiveness,” the centre said.
Five-point action plan
To contain the risks, the CPPE outlined five immediate commitments expected from political leaders and state institutions.
First, it called for zero tolerance for political violence, urging political parties and their leaders to publicly reject violence, restrain their supporters and cooperate with lawful investigations and prosecution of offenders.
Second, it demanded protection of institutional independence, warning government officials and political actors against interference with INEC, security agencies, the judiciary and other institutions central to the electoral process.
Third, the centre urged responsible political communication, asking political leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, threats and actions capable of provoking social unrest or undermining public confidence.
Fourth, it called for stronger protection of economic activities, with security arrangements prioritising commercial centres, industrial facilities, transport corridors, markets and critical infrastructure throughout the electoral period.
Fifth, it urged the preservation of policy and administrative stability, stressing that political competition must not disrupt economic governance, weaken regulatory institutions or compromise existing lawful contractual and investment commitments.
Economic stability must rise above partisan interests
The CPPE said the conduct of political actors and the integrity of state institutions during the 2027 electoral cycle would be important determinants of Nigeria’s political risk profile and investment outlook.
It maintained that a peaceful electoral environment, credible institutions and respect for the rule of law would help sustain investor confidence, protect business continuity and preserve economic stability.
Conversely, escalating political violence, institutional partisanship and electoral uncertainty could weaken investment appetite, increase the cost of doing business and undermine economic recovery.
The centre therefore called on the political class to place national economic stability above partisan interests, warning against allowing political competition to degenerate into violence, compromise the neutrality of state institutions or jeopardise investor confidence.
“Nigeria’s democracy must be strengthened through credible institutions and peaceful political competition, not weakened by violence and institutional partisanship,” the CPPE said.
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