Donald Duke Raises Alarm Over Alleged Human Sacrifice Ahead of 2027 Elections
Former Cross River State Governor and presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has raised concerns over what he described as the growing desperation among Nigerian politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Duke made the remarks in Abuja when the Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Democracy, Diplomacy and Development, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, visited him as part of its engagement with political stakeholders ahead of the elections.
According to Duke, the desperation to acquire or retain political power has reached a disturbing level, with some politicians allegedly willing to resort to extreme and dangerous practices, including human sacrifice.
The former governor, however, did not identify any politician or political party that he accused of engaging in such practices.
Duke reportedly recalled that during his tenure as governor of Cross River State, human body parts were allegedly discovered in the residence of a council chairman. He further claimed that similar incidents had occurred on multiple occasions in different parts of the country without receiving adequate public attention.
He warned that the increasing desperation surrounding Nigerian politics could fuel violence and create a dangerous atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections.
Duke also called for a fundamental reform of Nigeria’s electoral system, particularly the process through which the leadership and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are appointed.
He argued that INEC must be genuinely independent of the political class if Nigerians are to have greater confidence in the electoral process.
The PRP presidential candidate further advocated stronger sanctions against electoral violence and other actions capable of undermining democracy.
According to him, politics in Nigeria has increasingly moved away from being a vocation for public service and has become an occupation, with some politicians prepared to deploy virtually every available means to gain or retain power.
Ariwoola urges issue-based campaigns
Responding to the concerns raised during the engagement, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola urged Duke and other presidential candidates to conduct their campaigns without rancour, hate speech or inflammatory statements capable of triggering violence.
Ariwoola noted that Nigerian elections had, over the years, increasingly been treated as matters of life and death, with political actors employing tactics including thuggery, hate speech, vote buying, rigging and ballot stuffing.
He urged presidential candidates to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters and ensure compliance with INEC’s electoral laws and guidelines.
The former Chief Justice maintained that responsible political behaviour would be critical to rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Duke’s allegation raises questions
While Duke’s remarks have generated reactions across social media and political circles, his allegation of politicians resorting to human sacrifice remains an allegation and has not been independently established.
His failure to identify the politicians allegedly involved is also likely to fuel debate over the evidence supporting the claim.
Nevertheless, his broader warning about political desperation, electoral violence and the need for stronger electoral institutions comes as political parties and aspirants begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
