ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Road Safety Corps has warned politicians and their supporters against reckless driving, speeding, and overloading during political campaigns, warning that such behaviour could lead to road crashes and loss of lives.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem, in Abuja. He said the Corps had observed with concern the increasing rate of reckless driving and disregard for traffic rules by politicians and their supporters during campaign activities across the country.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps wishes to warn politicians and their supporters against reckless driving, speeding, and overloading during political campaigns. We have observed with concern the manner in which some politicians and their supporters drive on our roads during campaigns. This is unacceptable and poses a serious danger to other road users,” the statement read.
Kazeem said the Corps had deployed additional personnel and patrol vehicles to major highways and campaign routes to monitor and enforce traffic regulations. He said any politician or supporter found violating traffic rules would be arrested and prosecuted.
“We have deployed our personnel to monitor campaign activities and to ensure compliance with traffic regulations. Anyone found violating traffic rules, whether politicians or their supporters, will be arrested and prosecuted. We will not allow anyone to endanger the lives of Nigerians in the name of politics,” he said.
The FRSC spokesman noted that overloading, speeding, and the use of unroadworthy vehicles were the major causes of road crashes during political campaigns. He urged politicians to ensure that their convoys and campaign vehicles are roadworthy and that their drivers are properly licensed and trained.
“We appeal to politicians to ensure that their campaign vehicles are roadworthy and that their drivers are well-trained and licensed. We also urge them to avoid overloading and speeding. The life of every Nigerian is precious and must be protected,” he said.
Kazeem also urged supporters of political parties to refrain from dangerous driving and to cooperate with FRSC personnel on the roads. He said the Corps would continue to sensitise the public on the importance of road safety, particularly during the campaign season.
“We urge supporters of political parties to cooperate with our personnel and to obey traffic rules. We are committed to ensuring the safety of all road users, and we will not hesitate to take action against anyone who violates the law,” he said.
The warning comes amid heightened political activity across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political parties and their candidates have been crisscrossing the country for campaigns, and there have been reports of reckless driving and road crashes involving campaign convoys.
The FRSC has consistently warned against reckless driving during political campaigns, noting that the country loses thousands of lives to road crashes every year. The Corps has called on politicians, religious leaders, and community leaders to join the campaign for safer roads.
As the 2027 elections approach, the FRSC has pledged to intensify its enforcement and sensitisation efforts to prevent road crashes and to ensure the safety of all road users. For now, the message from the Corps is clear: politicians and their supporters must obey traffic rules and drive responsibly, or face the full weight of the law.
