1 killed in NDC rally as attacks rise

By Hussein Yahaya, Baba Martins (Abuja), Usman A. Bello (Benin) & Mumini AbdulKareem (Ilorin)

One person was killed and five others were injured on Saturday after suspected thugs attacked a political rally organised by supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Asaba, Delta State.

The Delta State Police Command said the incident occurred along Nnebisi Road during a political rally organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, said in a statement that police had launched an investigation into the violent incident.

Edafe said the police had received intelligence reports indicating the likelihood of violence before the rally.

He said the organisers were invited to a security meeting, where they were briefed on the threats and advised against holding an open road procession.

They were also advised to hold the rally at a designated venue where adequate security could be provided, he said.

Edafe, however, said the organisers allegedly ignored the advice and proceeded with the procession, leading to violence along Nnebisi Road, Asaba.

He assured residents of a thorough and impartial investigation.

The incident is the latest in a wave of political violence sweeping across the country, less than three months before the 2027 general elections.

Attacks on campaign convoys, disruption of political gatherings and physical assaults on candidates and party supporters have increased in recent weeks.

According to recent security threat assessments by the CLEEN Foundation and civil rights watchdogs, more than 70 physical election-related attacks and 27 casualties were recorded across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory in the first 10 months of 2026.

The incidents, ranging from attacks on opposition candidates in Sokoto and Ekiti to convoy ambushes in Katsina and clashes within political parties in Nasarawa, point to growing political intolerance.

Before Sunday’s attack on the NDC rally, the campaign convoy of the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was reportedly attacked by armed political thugs during a visit to Calabar, Cross River State. The incident resulted in damage to vehicles and police intervention.

In Kebbi State, the campaign convoy of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was also ambushed by political thugs. The incident attracted condemnation from Amnesty International over rising political repression.

Similarly, in Faskari and Malumfashi local government areas of Katsina State, convoys of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) heading to campaign rallies were ambushed along the Yashi-Funtua and Yankara routes.

In Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and members of his campaign team were physically attacked. Police reportedly arrested 11 suspects in connection with the incident.

Also, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, more than 40 people were injured during clashes between APC members at a major political gathering attended by senior party leaders.

No aspiration is worth Nigerian lives — Obi

The NDC presidential candidate, in an X post on Sunday, condemned the attack on the party’s members and coordinators in Delta State, urging the government and security agencies to investigate the attacks, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice, irrespective of their political affiliations.

“Political violence has no place in a democracy and can never be justified. No political aspiration is worth the life of a Nigerian, and no dispute should be resolved through intimidation, physical attacks, or the destruction of property,” he said.

The NDC presidential candidate cautioned against the use of intimidation and physical attacks to secure political influence.

Obi said the NDC and the Obidient Movement would not be intimidated or silenced by the incidents.

He said their response would remain peaceful and lawful.

The Obi/Kwankwaso (OK) Movement called for an immediate investigation into the attack.

The Delta Coordinator of the movement, Mr Favour Emerue, at a press briefing, demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, including their alleged sponsors and financiers.

He alleged that armed hoodlums disrupted the peaceful procession and attacked participants with sticks, knives, machetes and other dangerous weapons.

Emerue said several supporters sustained injuries and were receiving treatment in hospitals across the state. He added that many campaign vehicles were vandalised.

Describing the attack as a threat to democratic participation and citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly and association, he urged the Inspector-General of Police, DSS and other security agencies to arrest the perpetrators.

He also called for protection of political actors against intimidation and urged the international community to monitor developments.

Turaki-led PDP asks Tinubu to intervene over political violence

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene over rising political violence and intimidation of opposition parties.

Speaking at a briefing in Abuja on Sunday after an expanded meeting of the faction’s Interim National Working Committee, Turaki accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attacking opposition members, interfering in political activities and manipulating judicial processes.

He warned that the situation could undermine democracy and lead to crises similar to those that contributed to the collapse of the First and Second Republics.

Citing a Yiaga Africa survey released on October 7, 2026, Turaki said 61 per cent of Nigerians feared electoral violence could prevent them from voting, despite 84 per cent expressing willingness to vote.

He urged Tinubu to condemn political violence and ensure the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for attacks on opposition figures and supporters.

He also called on governments to stop denying opposition parties access to public facilities for campaigns.

Politicians exploiting unemployed youths to fuel violence – Expert

Dr Kamar Hamza of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, attributed the growing political hostility partly to hate speech on social media, youth unemployment and the absence of sustained public enlightenment campaigns against electoral violence.

Hamza said social media had increasingly become a platform for supporters of rival political groups to spread hatred.

The university don linked the involvement of young people in political violence to unemployment and economic desperation.

He said their vulnerability was being exploited by political interests.

“If you look at the activities in Sokoto and other places we are mentioning, it is these [unemployed] youths. They are the ones being used,” he said.

Hamza also expressed concern over the absence of sustained campaigns by government agencies to discourage political violence.

He recalled that radio and television jingles, public sensitisation and engagements at motor parks were previously deployed to promote peaceful elections.

He questioned the “lack of visibility of the National Orientation Agency and other relevant institutions in the current build-up to the 2027 elections”.

The gap, he said, had left young people without adequate sensitisation on the dangers of political violence.

According to him, political parties should begin engaging their youth wings through workshops and other programmes on peaceful political participation rather than waiting until the formal campaign period.

Similarly, Dr Mohammed Alada of the University of Ilorin called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and respond proactively to early warning signals to prevent political clashes from escalating ahead of the elections.

Alada said confrontations between supporters of rival political parties were foreseeable during election periods.

He, however, warned that the country could face more serious security challenges if the emerging incidents were not addressed before elections.

The university lecturer said the recent clashes should serve as early warning signals for security agencies to strengthen their intelligence and operational preparedness.

Alada warned that allowing the situation to deteriorate could undermine the peaceful conduct of the 2027 elections.

Alada also urged Nigerians to make political choices based on issues, policies and verifiable facts rather than sentiments, which he said often fuel hostility among supporters of opposing parties.

He argued that issue-based political engagement would allow voters to assess candidates objectively without turning political disagreements into personal confrontations.

“Votes in an election should be based on issues and not sentiments. When it is based on issues, there will be no need for violence and no need for conflict,” he said.

He added that individuals who approach politics from the standpoint of sentiment were more likely to defend their affiliations at all costs, potentially resorting to violence when confronted with opposing views.

He urged Nigerians to remain peaceful, avoid unnecessary political arguments and go about their lawful activities as the country approaches another election.

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