Lagos, Nigeria – In a disturbing video now circulating widely, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), openly threatened Lagosians with death if they fail to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Sego, speaking at a public event, boasted that what happened in 2023 would be “child’s play” compared to the consequences awaiting those who vote against the ruling party. He employed the slang “kpai”—a colloquial term for “to kill”—in warning voters.
The clip has sparked outrage from civil society groups, opposition parties, and ordinary Nigerians, who say it is a brazen attempt to intimidate voters ahead of the elections.
Following the backlash, Sego appeared in another video claiming he had been invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) and released on bail. He denied threatening voters, insisting his remarks were meant for union members rather than the general public.
Memories of 2023 violence have quickly resurfaced. In Lagos, intimidation, beatings, and ethnic profiling were rife at polling units. One of the most infamous cases was that of Jennifer Efidi, who was attacked in Surulere, her bloodied face becoming a viral symbol of courage when she returned to vote despite her injuries.
Observers argue that the fact Sego still occupies a sensitive leadership role while making such threats reflects a dangerous culture of impunity. For many Nigerians, the incident is yet another reminder of how political thuggery and violence are being normalized.
Critics warn that unless decisive action is taken, voter turnout will continue to fall, faith in the democratic process will erode, and elections will become rituals of fear rather than true exercises of freedom.
Jungle-Journalist.Com reports that Sego’s words have become a test case for Nigeria’s democracy—whether the rule of law will prevail, or whether intimidation will dictate the nation’s political future.
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