Former Cross River State governor and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has triggered outrage after alleging that some Nigerian politicians resort to human sacrifice in their desperation to acquire political power.
Duke made the claim during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show, where he warned that Nigeria’s politics was increasingly becoming a do-or-die affair.
The former governor said the desperation for political power had become so extreme that some politicians allegedly resorted to ritual practices, including human sacrifice.
He recalled an incident during his tenure as governor when body parts and human skulls were allegedly discovered in the home of a local government chairman.
Duke said: “When you have a society where people are desperate for power and do all sorts of things, even using human sacrifice, you ask yourself, how low are we going to go to get it right?”
He added that the incident was not isolated, alleging that similar practices occur in different parts of the country but often remain unreported.
Duke also blamed the increasing desperation in Nigerian politics on the transformation of political office from public service into an occupation, arguing that many people now seek power primarily for personal benefit.
His comments have drawn reactions from political analysts, community leaders, activists and other concerned Nigerians, many of whom called for the allegations to be investigated rather than dismissed as political rhetoric.
Political scientist and former Chief of Staff to the late Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi, Prof. Gbade Ojo, described the allegation as disturbing and said any credible claims linking politicians to ritual killings should be thoroughly investigated.
Ojo argued that elections should be about winning the confidence of voters rather than eliminating opponents or seeking supernatural assistance, urging security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and investigate suspicious killings.
Former Ondo State SDP chairman, Stephen Adewale, also called for an investigation, saying that if Duke had credible evidence, he should submit it to the appropriate authorities.
He linked political violence to the winner-takes-all nature of Nigerian politics, weak institutions and a culture of impunity, saying no political office was worth the blood of a Nigerian.
Former Senate Chief Whip and NDC chieftain, Rowland Owie, urged Nigerians to expose politicians involved in ritual activities, although he said he had never personally witnessed such practices.
Joseph Ambakederimo, convener of the South South Reawakening Group, described human sacrifice as a reprehensible act that should attract the full force of the law if established.
Prof. Okaba, former president of the Ijaw National Congress, similarly urged INEC and security agencies to investigate allegations of ritual sacrifice and electoral violence, warning that the 2027 elections must not be sacrificed to political desperation.
Other commentators, including human rights activist Nelson Ekujumi and representatives of the Igbo Women Assembly, condemned the alleged practice and called for stronger accountability ahead of the 2027 general election.
However, Austin Aghomi, media consultant and coordinator of Journalists for Just Development of the Niger Delta, cautioned Duke against making sweeping claims without evidence, urging him to identify those allegedly involved or provide proof to the authorities.
Several respondents nevertheless agreed that Nigeria’s history of electoral violence and politically motivated killings makes any allegation involving human sacrifice too serious to ignore.
They urged security agencies to investigate credible claims and ensure that anyone found to be involved in ritual killings or electoral violence is prosecuted, stressing that no political ambition should take precedence over human life.