Political Killings: Understanding Violence, Power Struggles and Justice

When working with political killings, the targeted killing of individuals because of their political role, opposition or activism. Also known as political assassinations, it often signals deeper power struggles and can trigger widespread instability, you’re stepping into a fraught arena where law, fear and ambition collide. In recent months, political killings have surged across Africa, shaping headlines and stirring public outcry.

One especially chilling pattern is whistleblower killings, murders of insiders who expose corruption or abuse of power. When a senior official lifts the lid on secret deals, the retaliation can be lethal, as seen in the Madlanga Commission revelations about the “Big 5” cartels. These killings send a clear message: silence is bought with blood. The climate of fear they create makes future investigations harder, feeding a vicious cycle of impunity.

Another thread tying the stories together is the rise of a one‑party state, a political system where a single party dominates all branches of government. Senior advocates warn that defections and power grabs are steering Nigeria toward exactly that scenario. When power concentrates, the incentive to eliminate dissent grows, turning political disagreement into a life‑or‑death matter.

Closely linked is the phenomenon of political defection, the switching of allegiance from one party or faction to another. Defections can destabilize democratic balances and trigger retaliatory violence, especially when the departing figures carry sensitive information. In an environment where loyalty is prized above principle, defectors become prime targets for silencing.

Adding fuel to the fire is the surge of cartel violence, organized criminal groups using intimidation and murder to control markets and politics. The “Big 5” cartels exposed at the Madlanga Commission illustrate how crime syndicates infiltrate public contracts, then resort to lethal tactics to protect their stakes. This blend of illicit profit and political killing blurs the line between state‑backed repression and pure criminality.

These intersecting forces—whistleblower murders, a slide toward one‑party rule, defections, and cartel‑driven bloodshed—all reinforce the core idea that political killings encompass targeted assassinations, state complicity, and organized crime alike. They require weak rule of law, powerful incentives for secrecy, and often, the tacit approval of security forces. Understanding these links helps readers see why each headline isn’t isolated; they’re pieces of a larger, dangerous puzzle.

Below, you’ll find a curated list of recent reports that dive into court rulings, activist warnings, cartel exposés and the shifting political landscape. Explore each story to see how these dynamics play out on the ground and what they mean for the future of governance and safety in the region.