Tension In Enugu Over Rising Violence As NDC, PDP Report Thuggery Attacks At Campaign Grounds
The Enugu State chapters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have condemned alleged attack on their members by suspected political thugs, during political campaigns, vowing to resist any repeat occurrences.
The Enugu State chapters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have condemned alleged attack on their members by suspected political thugs, during political campaigns, vowing to resist any repeat occurrences.
The parties expressed concern over reported growing pre-election violence in the state, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of suddenly becoming jittery over their rising influences, and allegedly masterminding attacks on them.
The NDC complained that the attack on its members occurred at Ihuani Awkunanaw in Obuofia, Nkanu Council Area, Enugu State, the ancestral home of the Awkunanaw people and the hometown of the party’s candidate, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.
A statement by the Media Aide to Ohaa, Hon. Sampson Ukwu, noted that members of the NDC had gathered for the state-wide monthly ward meeting when hoodlums invaded the venue and opened fire on peaceful party faithfuls, adding that eight persons sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.
Ukwu said, “Canopies, chairs, and party materials were also vandalized and destroyed in the process.
“This is a clear act of political thuggery and an attempt to intimidate members of the opposition through violence. It follows a disturbing pattern of similar attacks earlier witnessed in Akpugo and Obe wards in Nkanu West Council Area, where peaceful political gatherings were disrupted with gunfire and destruction of property.
“We strongly condemn this barbaric act.
Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that:
“Section 40 of the same Constitution further guarantees that: ‘Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests…
“No political party or group of hoodlums has the right to turn the streets of Enugu into a battlefield or to attack citizens for exercising their constitutional rights. Those who resort to shooting innocent people simply because they belong to a different political organisation must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted without delay...
“The lives of our members matter. We will not be intimidated. We will not abandon our people. We will continue our peaceful and issue-based campaign until the will of Ndi Enugu prevails in 2027.
Similarly, the PDP also complained that its members had been attacked in different parts of the state.
A chieftain of the party, Chief Basil Ani, who spoke also, warned that the growing political tension could affect President Bola Tinubu’s popularity in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that growing anger over alleged attacks on PDP members and supporters was increasingly being transferred to the Federal Government and, by extension, the President.
Ani further noted that the emergence of Chief Uche Nnaji as a major opposition figure and PDP governorship candidate had further increased tensified political contest in the state.
“The allegations are grave and raise a much larger question: Can citizens freely participate in political activities in Enugu State without fear of violence or intimidation?” Ani asked, pointing out that the incidents had generated concern among political stakeholders, particularly as there had been the absence of publicly known arrests or decisive action by security agencies over the alleged repeated attacks.
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