Outrage mounts over Duke’s human sacrifice claim
Nigerians have reacted with outrage to a claim by former Cross River State governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, that some politicians resort to human sacrifice in their quest for political power.
Duke made the allegation during an interview on Arise News’ Morning Show, where he warned that Nigeria’s politics was increasingly becoming a do-or-die contest.
*Duke
Abimbola Joseph
Nigerians have reacted with outrage to a claim by former Cross River State governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, that some politicians resort to human sacrifice in their quest for political power.
Duke made the allegation during an interview on Arise News’ Morning Show, where he warned that Nigeria’s politics was increasingly becoming a do-or-die contest.
He recalled that, while he was governor, a case was brought to his attention in which human remains, including body parts and skulls, were allegedly found in the house of a local government chairman who was said to have been involved in ritual sacrifice.
Duke said such practices were not isolated, alleging that similar incidents occurred in other parts of the country.
His remarks have triggered calls from political analysts, community leaders, activists and other Nigerians for the allegations to be investigated, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Political scientist and former Chief of Staff to the late Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, Prof. Gbade Ojo, described the allegation as disturbing and urged security agencies to investigate any credible claims linking politicians to ritual killings.
Ojo said elections should be about winning voters’ confidence rather than eliminating opponents or seeking supernatural means of securing victory. He also called for stronger intelligence gathering, surveillance and investigation of suspicious killings.
Former Ondo State chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Stephen Adewale, similarly urged Duke to provide evidence to the relevant security agencies if he had information about politicians involved in human sacrifice.
Adewale said political desperation, weak institutions and a culture of impunity could encourage some politicians to pursue power at any cost. He urged security agencies to investigate politically connected deaths and prosecute those found culpable.
Former Senate Chief Whip and chieftain of the National Democratic Congress, Sir Rowland Owie, said he had not personally witnessed such practices but urged voters to expose politicians involved in ritual activities.
The Convener of the South South Reawakening Group, Joseph Ambakederimo, described human sacrifice as reprehensible and called for anyone involved to face the law.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, warned that the alleged resort to ritual practices reflected a dangerous winner-takes-all mentality in Nigerian politics.
Okaba called for stronger enforcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, greater voter education and transparent investigation of all allegations of ritual killings.
Similarly, Bayelsa-based evangelist and former House of Assembly candidate, Ebitumitula Embiowei, said political competition had increasingly shifted from public service and policy debates towards intimidation, violence and coercion.
He urged Nigerians to reject candidates who rely on violence or fear and instead judge political aspirants by their records and vision.
The Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, Dr Jackson Omenazu, called for an immediate investigation into the allegation.
Omenazu attributed the desperation surrounding political power to factors including the enormous value attached to public office, weak accountability and a culture of impunity. He advocated stronger intelligence gathering, protection for witnesses and whistle-blowers, monitoring of political financing and swift prosecution of electoral violence.
However, Austin Aghomi, a media consultant and Coordinator of Journalists for Just Development of the Niger Delta, cautioned Duke against making sweeping claims without evidence.
Aghomi said that if the former governor had information about individuals involved in ritual killings for political purposes, he should provide it to the appropriate authorities. He argued that credible elections and strict enforcement of the law remained the best safeguards against political violence.
The National President of the Igbo Women Assembly, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, warned that political desperation could fuel both ritual killings and electoral violence ahead of 2027.
Chimezie said politicians who arm and fund youths to intimidate opponents often create a cycle of violence that later becomes difficult to control. She urged politicians to seek voters’ support rather than resort to violence or intimidation.
Chairman of the Abia State Elders Consultative Forum, Archbishop Prof. Princewill Ariwodo, acknowledged that some individuals might engage in ritual killings but cautioned against generalising the allegation to all politicians.
Human rights activist Nelson Ekujumi condemned the alleged practice as criminal and irrational, saying anyone involved should face the full weight of the law.
The reactions come amid growing concerns about political violence as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections. The central message from many of those who responded to Duke’s claim was that political ambition must never be allowed to place human life at risk.
Whether the specific allegations can be substantiated remains a matter for the relevant authorities to investigate.
