Lagos, Nigeria - Fears of violence have gripped many in Nigeria days before the presidential and legislative elections on February 16 with at least five deaths reported so far in pre-poll clashes. On Sunday, five members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were shot and killed near the oil hub of Warri city in southeast Nigeria, with authorities calling it a revenge attack by people suspected to be from the opposition. Clashes between APC supporters and rival contenders from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) have been reported from various places in Africa's largest democracy. Nigeria has a history of election violence, with analysts warning that the forthcoming vote might be one of the bloodiest in the country's history. In 2011, election violence claimed nearly 1,000 lives in the country's north following the defeat of Muhammadu Buhari by former President Goodluck Jonathan. The presidential contest will see incumbent Buhari seek to win a second four-year term against former vice president Atiku Abubakar in what is expected to be a close race. "Nigerian elections have often been characterised by violence and with political tensions now further aggravated by current conflicts and deepening insecurity, there are fears that this election would be no different from the ones in the past," Nnamdi Obasi, International Crisis Group's senior Nigeria researcher, told Al Jazeera. "The intensely acrimonious exchanges between the two major political parties have already resulted in many clashes, risking further violence during and after the polls," Obasi said. The election campaign has been dominated by politicians accusing their rivals of inciting violence. "The highly desperate and increasingly intolerant dispositions of both the parties signal fierce disputes over results, with protests possibly leading to further violence," said Obasi. A key ally of Buhari and governor of the northern state of Kaduna, , recently warned Nigerians who were living abroad to not intervene in the elections. "We are waiting for the person who will come and intervene. They will go back in body bags because nobody will come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country," said El-Rufai. El-Rufai's comments drew criticism from international organisations and the opposition, heightening tensions further. Two top officials of the PDP in Kaduna have also been arrested by security officials after they made provocative comments in their campaign rallies. Security analyst Don Okereke told Al Jazeera that election violence would not go away soon. "In 2015, nearly 58 Nigerians lost their lives in pre-election violence. This is a result of the do-or-die brand of politics played in Nigeria," Okereke said. The top political parties have witnessed defections of some of their leaders. The switching of party allegiance has not gone down well with their supporters, often resulting in attacks and killings. On Monday, it took the intervention of security operatives to save President Buhari from objects hurled at the podium during his campaign rally in Abeokuta in southern Ogun state. Factions in his party were angry over the president's support for another candidate, as intra-party bickering exacerbates the tense political environment. Several warnings have been issued by local and international organisations, which say they are worried about security during the elections. Security experts are calling for measures by the government to preempt poll violence. "Granted some analysts believe that deployment of soldiers for election is an aberration, but if the motive is good and the soldiers won't be overzealous or be used to intimidate voters, especially in the opposition strongholds, then the measure could be extenuating," Okereke said. The Nigerian army has announced that its troops will be engaged in ensuring the security of voters and electoral officials. The opposition has questioned the plan, alleging that the armed forces could be used in elections rigging. Nigerian leaders in the past have been accused of using the country's security apparatus for their political goals. The loyalists in the security service have often played a key role in safeguarding votes in areas considered to be the ruling party’s stronghold. Experts are calling for caution in the handling of the deployment of security forces during the elections. "The government must deploy police and other security agencies in the most vulnerable states, but in a manner that inspires confidence rather than intimidate the voters," said Obasi.
Nigeria's presidential election will get under way on 16 February with more than 70 candidates in the running, although it's expected to be a two-horse race between incumbent Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party. Fears of violence are rising after five members of the ruling party were shot and killed in the southeast of the nation. Nigeria historically faces violence when elections are taking place. The BBC's Will Grant says that while there is no evidence yet of any organised violence, some people have been targeted by gunmen.