Violence has been part of almost every Nigerian election since 1999. Its causes vary: politicians hiring armed gangs to control polling units, communal tensions inflamed by campaigns, insurgents attacking voters, and protests after disputed results. This timeline draws on reports by Human Rights Watch, observer groups and Nigerian media. For individual incidents, with places and sources, see the incident archive.

1999

The transition from military rule was relatively peaceful, though observers recorded intimidation and inflated results in several states. The worst bloodshed of the period came from communal clashes that were not directly tied to the vote.

2003: at least 100 killed

Human Rights Watch documented at least 100 deaths in election-related violence in April and May 2003, and the EU recorded 105. More than three-quarters of the incidents reported by domestic monitors were in the South and South-East. Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu states were among the worst affected. HRW concluded that most serious abuses were committed by supporters of the ruling party, while opposition supporters were also responsible for violence.

2007: at least 300 killed

Violence surrounding the 2007 elections killed at least 300 people, according to Human Rights Watch, with credible estimates higher. Gangs seized ballot boxes in Katsina, Gombe and Rivers states; Oyo was one of the bloodiest states before and after the polls. EU observers estimated about 200 deaths in the two weeks around the polling days alone.

2011: more than 800 killed after the vote

The 2011 election was better run than 2007, but its aftermath was the deadliest of the Fourth Republic. Riots broke out across twelve northern states as results showed Goodluck Jonathan winning. Human Rights Watch reported more than 800 deaths in three days, with the worst killing in southern Kaduna. In Bauchi State, ten young National Youth Service Corps members who had served as election staff were killed.

2015: insurgency and a peaceful handover

Boko Haram attacked voters and polling units in the North-East, and there was serious violence in Rivers State. Even so, President Jonathan’s concession is widely credited with preventing a repeat of 2011.

2019: postponement and dozens killed

Observers recorded dozens of deaths around the 2019 elections. Rivers State was the worst affected: soldiers and armed men disrupted collation in March, and INEC briefly suspended the governorship process. In Okota, Lagos, thugs burned ballot materials. In November 2019, during the Kogi governorship election, Salome Abuh, a PDP women’s leader, was burned to death in her home in Wada Aro.

2019–2023: attacks on INEC

Between 2019 and late 2022, INEC recorded about 50 attacks on its offices in 15 states, many of them arson attacks in the South-East, where offices, ballot boxes and voting machines were destroyed.

2023 and after

The 2023 general elections were calmer than 2011 or 2019 in most of the country, but voters were attacked or intimidated in parts of Lagos, Rivers, Kano and Kogi, especially at the governorship elections. Observers have since raised concern about vote buying more than violence in off-cycle elections.

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