Opposition governorship candidates in Enugu State have asked the Inspector-General of Police to investigate alleged attacks on opposition members. They want an independent team to examine incidents involving campaign offices and political gatherings. The candidates also demand an interim report within 14 days.
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Ozor Obodoeze Ocho of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) made the demand. They issued a joint statement in Enugu on Monday. The statement carried the title, “Joint Opposition Statement on Political Violence and Democratic Space in Enugu.”
The candidates expressed concern over what they described as growing political violence, intimidation, and restrictions on opposition activities. They warned that these developments could threaten peaceful competition ahead of the 2027 general elections. They said their intervention sought to protect public safety and citizens’ constitutional rights, rather than promote any political party.
“We have not convened this joint press conference to promote the PDP, the NDC or any individual candidate. We stand together because political violence in Enugu has moved beyond an isolated party grievance,” they said.
The candidates questioned whether opposition parties could freely organise meetings, campaign, and communicate their messages without fear. Their concerns followed reported incidents around Akanu Ibiam International Airport and Ohaa’s campaign office on Saturday, October 10. They insisted that disputes over permits or political activities could not justify assault, property destruction, or gunfire.
“Enugu needs accountability, equal political space and a clear guarantee that ballots, not bullets, bans or bureaucratic barriers will determine the 2027 election,” the statement added.
Enugu Political Violence: Opposition Recounts Alleged Attacks on Meetings
The candidates traced what they described as a pattern of political violence to several opposition gatherings across the state. They cited alleged disruptions of PDP ward meetings in Akpugo, Obe, and Agbani communities in Nkanu West Local Government Area. Party members reportedly suffered assaults and intimidation, while attackers allegedly damaged vehicles, motorcycles, canopies, chairs, and other property.
According to the statement, some attackers arrived in vehicles and motorcycles. Others reportedly wore security vests bearing the name of Nkanu West Local Government Area. The candidates asked authorities to investigate whether local government security personnel or resources played any role.
They also demanded information about arrests, recovered evidence, and officials questioned during investigations. The statement recalled an alleged armed attack on an NDC ward meeting in Obuoffia, Nkanu West. The party reportedly petitioned security agencies and identified individuals it considered suspects, alleging links to a local government official.
The candidates further alleged that authorities arrested a key witness, Mr Chidi S. Ani, through the office of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. They said officials charged Ani with cyberbullying and that he had remained at Enugu Correctional Centre since October 5, 2026. The candidates called for scrutiny of the arrest and prosecution.
The statement did not independently establish the identities of the alleged attackers or the circumstances surrounding Ani’s arrest. Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government had earlier announced arrests following an August attack on an NDC meeting at Obeagu-Amaechi. However, the available account did not identify those arrested or provide further details.
Nsukka Gunfire: Opposition Seeks Answers Over PDP Candidate’s Reception
The candidates also cited an incident on October 3, when gunshots reportedly rang out during a homecoming reception for PDP deputy governorship candidate Chief Ugwu Chijioke Peter in Nsukka. They said video footage and eyewitness accounts had circulated publicly. They urged security agencies to identify who fired the shots, establish which weapons they used, and determine whether anyone deliberately targeted the candidate or his supporters.
The opposition leaders said authorities must protect lawful political receptions and gatherings, regardless of party affiliation. They also requested updates on investigations into the Nsukka incident and other reported attacks. Their statement called for clear answers about the circumstances surrounding the alleged gunfire.
Nnaji Alleges Raid on Campaign Office Amid Signage Dispute
The statement revisited an allegation by PDP governorship candidate Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji. He claimed officials entered his campaign office on Abakaliki Road in Enugu, removed campaign materials, and tore down posters and branded items. The candidates said the alleged operation occurred while the Federal High Court considered a legal challenge to the state’s campaign-signage policy.
They acknowledged that the government could regulate signage within the law. However, they argued that enforcement must not destroy property, invade private political premises, or undermine pending court proceedings.
“The state may regulate signage within the law, but enforcement cannot become a licence to invade private political premises, destroy property, preempt a court or selectively erase an opponent’s visibility,” the statement said.
The candidates asked authorities to disclose the legal basis for the operation and identify those who authorised it. They also demanded information about the whereabouts of the materials allegedly removed. The allegations and the legality of the enforcement action require verification by the relevant authorities.
October 10 Airport Incident: NDC Alleges Gunfire and Assaults
The opposition leaders described the reported violence surrounding Ohaa’s reception at Akanu Ibiam International Airport on October 10 as a major escalation. According to their statement, the NDC paid the required airport fee and notified the state police command. The party also reportedly informed the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Federal Road Safety Corps about its plans.
The candidates alleged that violence erupted when supporters gathered to welcome Ohaa. They said gunfire forced some people to run for safety. They also alleged that someone struck a supporter with a plank near the Air Force Base while a uniformed person stood nearby.
Some vehicles reportedly sustained damaged windscreens during the incident. The NDC further alleged that police officers used tear gas and firearms, leaving supporter Mr Moses Arisi with a serious head injury. The statement also claimed that someone assaulted a Signature TV journalist and took his phone.
The opposition leaders said the violence later extended to Ohaa’s campaign office in Enugu’s Government Reserved Area. They alleged that several people sustained gunshot injuries during the incident. The statement identified Umar Abdulkarim, Muhammad Musa, and Hassan Gora among those reportedly injured.
The Enugu State Government offered a different account of the airport confrontation. Secretary to the State Government Prof. Chidiebere Onyia said on Sunday that the NDC attempted to hold a rally without the necessary approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). He said security agencies intervened to disperse the gathering and denied government involvement in the subsequent violence at Ohaa’s campaign office.
Onyia also said the Governor’s Chief Security Officer was not at the airport during the incident. According to him, the official accompanied Governor Peter Mbah to a function at Okpara Square. The government acknowledged that a 43-year-old man, identified as Ifeanyi Nworie, sustained a gunshot wound but maintained that nobody died in the incidents.
The government said Nworie received treatment at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, before doctors transferred him to the National Orthopaedic Hospital. Police also provided details about the incidents. Police spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe said restricted access and a fight triggered the disturbance at the airport, prompting joint police and military personnel to intervene.
Regarding the shooting at the NDC secretariat, Ndukwe said the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. He reported damage to five vehicle windscreens and an injury to a vehicle repairer. He added that the State Criminal Investigation Department had begun investigating to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The government and police accounts differ from the opposition’s allegations of armed attacks and security personnel misconduct. The opposition acknowledged the government’s report that Nworie sustained a gunshot wound but disputed the suggestion that a clash adequately explained the incidents. The candidates called for investigators to examine video footage, medical records, ammunition, deployment records, and witness accounts.
They also urged investigators to interview affected journalists and other witnesses. The candidates insisted that any dispute over airport access required separate consideration from allegations of armed attacks and assault.
“If any airport rule was breached, the lawful response was a clear directive, controlled access, proportionate policing and, where justified, arrest under the law,” the statement said.
“It was not permission for unidentified civilians to beat people, damage vehicles or fire weapons.”
The identities and affiliations of those involved remain matters for independent investigation. The candidates urged authorities to establish what happened at both the airport and the campaign office.
Enugu Airport Concession: Opposition Demands Government’s Account
The candidates questioned the state government’s handling of the airport incident. They asked officials to explain their communications with federal authorities and the airport’s concessionaire. They noted that the Federal Government retained ownership of the airport, while reports said Aero Alliance Limited assumed operational and management responsibilities under a public-private partnership in June 2026.
According to the statement, the Enugu State Government had publicly acknowledged its role in facilitating the concession. The candidates therefore asked officials to explain their communications with Aero Alliance, FAAN, the police, and other relevant agencies before and during the incident. They argued that the state should clarify its role rather than distance itself from questions about airport security.
The opposition leaders also challenged the government’s account that an approval dispute triggered the airport incident. They questioned its description of the subsequent violence at Ohaa’s campaign office as a clash. They insisted that authorities must identify the alleged attackers and determine whether any officials or political actors assisted them.
Enugu Campaign Advertising Fees: Opposition Warns Against Restrictions
Beyond the reported physical attacks, the candidates criticised the state’s campaign-advertising and signage regulations. They argued that the rules could make political participation difficult for opposition parties. Their statement cited an announcement by the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency concerning a reported ₦150 million advertising permit regime.
According to the statement, the regime covers political rallies, billboards, banners, branded vehicles, street campaigns, handbills, buntings, T-shirts, and caps across the state’s 17 local government areas. The candidates also referred to warnings against unauthorised posters on public and private surfaces. They cited reported penalties of up to ₦50 million and possible sanctions against printers producing unauthorised political materials.
The candidates acknowledged that environmental protection and public safety were legitimate concerns. However, they argued that political regulations must remain reasonable, affordable, and equal for all parties.
“Environmental order and public safety are legitimate concerns. They do not justify rules so sweeping or expensive that ordinary political participation depends on government permission or wealth,” they said.
Also, they maintained that restrictions on campaign materials could undermine opposition visibility. They also warned that such restrictions, combined with alleged attacks on political gatherings and campaign offices, could limit citizens’ freedom to support candidates of their choice.
The candidates called for a suspension of coercive enforcement against private political premises while authorities clarify the regime’s legal basis. They also urged officials to comply with relevant court orders. In addition, they demanded transparent and non-discriminatory rules for political advertising and campaign activities.
Opposition Faults Enugu Government’s Response to Political Violence
The candidates criticised a statement by Onyia following the latest incidents. They argued that his response did not adequately address the wider allegations involving opposition activities. According to the candidates, the government attributed the airport incident to federal authorities and described the subsequent shooting as a clash.
They also said the government alleged that opposition elements planned to bring armed thugs and bandits into Enugu State. The candidates questioned the basis for those claims, saying officials had not publicly provided names, locations, intercepted communications, or arrests to substantiate them. They urged the government to submit any credible intelligence to the police and DSS for investigation.
“If credible intelligence exists, it must be formally handed to the police and DSS and tested through lawful investigation. If it does not, the allegation should be withdrawn,” the statement said.
The candidates rejected the suggestion that the Governor’s Chief Security Officer’s absence from the airport settled questions about the incident. They said investigators must still establish the identities of the alleged attackers and examine possible involvement by other individuals. Also, they called for an evidence-based investigation into security deployments, weapon use, and the conduct of those involved.
They added that an explanation of the airport incident would not resolve other allegations. These include reported attacks on gatherings in Nkanu West and Nsukka, as well as the alleged raid on Nnaji’s campaign office. The candidates called for investigators to examine each incident separately.
Enugu Political Violence: Opposition Demands Independent Probe and 14-Day Report
The opposition governorship candidates outlined several demands, placing an independent police investigation at the centre of their request. They urged the Inspector-General of Police to establish a team drawn substantially from outside the Enugu State Police Command. The team, they said, should investigate all the incidents listed in their statement.
They also demanded an incident-by-incident interim report within 14 days. The report should detail preserved evidence, interviewed witnesses, identified suspects, arrests, charges, and the next investigative steps. The candidates said the public deserved clear information about the progress of each investigation.
They further called on the police and DSS to investigate whether state or local government security personnel, neighbourhood watch operatives, or enforcement officials participated in any partisan attacks. Investigators should also examine the possible use of official vehicles, uniforms, communications equipment, and public funds. The candidates said authorities must establish whether anyone deployed these resources for political purposes.
Their other demands included:
- Preserving CCTV footage, phone and radio logs, duty rosters, access records, vehicle records, and incident reports.
- Identifying any weapons discharged and accounting for ammunition and tear gas issued to security personnel.
- Providing prompt medical treatment for injured people and protecting witnesses and journalists from intimidation or retaliation.
- Arresting and prosecuting anyone found to have participated in or sponsored attacks, regardless of political affiliation or official position.
- Disclosing evidence supporting the government’s allegation that opposition elements planned to bring armed thugs and bandits into Enugu State.
- Returning unlawfully removed campaign materials or compensating affected owners, subject to relevant legal proceedings.
- Establishing clear and equal procedures for notifying authorities about political events and securing venues.
- Inviting the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, and accredited media organisations to monitor investigations and future high-risk political gatherings.
The candidates said officers whose conduct or deployment might come under investigation should not control the process. They argued that an independent team would help strengthen public confidence. They also called for transparent reporting throughout the investigation.
Opposition Cites Constitutional Rights, Calls for Equal Political Space
The candidates argued that the Constitution protects freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. They insisted that these rights apply equally to ruling-party supporters and opposition members. They also acknowledged that authorities could introduce reasonable public-safety rules, particularly around sensitive facilities such as airports.
However, the candidates said such rules must have a clear legal basis and remain proportionate. They maintained that no dispute over permits could justify thuggery, assault, property destruction, or gunfire.
“No permit dispute authorises thuggery, assault, property destruction or gunfire,” the statement said.
The opposition leaders added that the government’s commitment to democracy would depend on its response to the allegations. They said authorities must identify alleged attackers, maintain political neutrality, and allow opposition parties to organise without fear. They also called for a public peace accord involving Governor Peter Mbah, the ruling All Progressives Congress, and all registered opposition parties.
According to the candidates, the proposed accord should guarantee equal access to public venues, neutral policing, fair campaign regulations, and prompt investigations into political attacks. They also called for monitoring mechanisms and consequences for candidates, officials, or supporters found to have sponsored violence. The candidates said these safeguards would help protect political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
2027 Elections: PDP, NDC and ADC Candidates Reject Retaliation
The candidates reaffirmed their opposition to political violence and armed mobilisation. They pledged to cooperate with impartial investigations and provide relevant evidence to lawful authorities. They also urged their supporters to remain peaceful, document incidents responsibly, and avoid provocation.
“Our contest is for votes, not territory,” the statement said.
They called on Governor Mbah and the APC to support enforceable safeguards for political activities ahead of the 2027 elections. The candidates maintained that Enugu belongs to all its citizens. They argued that no party or administration should decide who can organise meetings, campaign, or receive protection based on political affiliation.
“We will not answer intimidation with intimidation. We will answer it with evidence, law, peaceful organisation and the ballot,” they said.
The opposition leaders urged the police, DSS, state and local governments, airport authorities, and other relevant institutions to act transparently. They also called on these bodies to avoid political interference in investigations.
“The test is no longer whether the government can issue another denial. The test is whether the violence stops, the political space reopens and offenders face the law,” the statement added.
