NDC Accuses APC of Intimidation Following Attack on Supporters in Asaba

Several supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) sustained injuries, while more than 30 campaign buses were reportedly vandalised during a one-million-man march in support of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday.

The incident reportedly involved suspected hoodlums armed with sticks, knives, machetes and other dangerous weapons, disrupting what organisers described as a peaceful procession.

Several campaign vehicles bearing images of Obi, his running mate, Kwankwaso, and the NDC candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, Victor Ochei, were reportedly damaged during the attack.

Footage from the scene also showed a counter-mob assaulting some persons alleged to have participated in the attack.

Reacting to the incident, Ochei, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to order an immediate investigation and ensure that those responsible were arrested and prosecuted.

He condemned the attack, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of resorting to intimidation rather than engaging the opposition through issue-based political campaigns.

Ochei said it was unacceptable for any political party to mobilise people to attack opposition supporters, insisting that parties seeking re-election should present their achievements to the electorate.

He alleged that more than 30 campaign buses were destroyed by suspected attackers, who he claimed were led by commercial tricycle operators under the supervision of an alleged task force official responsible for commercial tricycles in the state.

Ochei urged the governor to call members of the APC to order, warning against turning Delta State into a theatre of political violence.

Also speaking, the Delta State Coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement (OK Movement) and one of the organisers of the march, Favour Emerue, said the procession was peaceful until suspected hoodlums disrupted it.

Emerue alleged that several participants sustained injuries and were receiving medical attention in hospitals.

He described the incident as a threat to democratic participation, warning that no resident should lose their life because of political differences or an election.

He further called on security agencies to investigate the attack and prosecute those found culpable, adding that the governor would be held responsible if anyone lost their life as a result of political violence in the state.

Emerue disclosed that the organisers had notified the police and met with the Commissioner of Police before the march.

According to him, the police commissioner had directed them not to assemble at Inter-Bua Junction, a directive they complied with.

He, however, expressed concern that police personnel allegedly disappeared when the attack occurred.

In a separate statement, the NDC described the incident as a “premeditated, unprovoked and criminal assault on democracy”, maintaining that the march was a lawful exercise of citizens’ constitutional rights.

The party called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to protect political actors irrespective of their party affiliations.

It also appealed to its supporters to remain calm and refrain from retaliation, stressing that political disagreements should be resolved through democratic participation rather than violence.

APC Denies Involvement

Meanwhile, the Delta State APC spokesman, Valentine Onojeghuo, denied allegations linking members of the ruling party to the attack, insisting that the NDC had not provided evidence to substantiate its claims.

“There is no proof by Ochei or any NDC claimant that APC persons were involved in any attack,” he told Vanguard.

Onojeghuo also described the NDC as a fractured party, urging its members to address their internal disagreements rather than make what he called reckless allegations against the APC.

He reiterated that Governor Oborevwori had, during the inauguration of the Delta APC Campaign Council, emphasised the party’s commitment to peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the APC remains committed to campaigns devoid of conflict with opposition parties.

He urged the NDC to embrace peaceful political engagement and avoid what he described as baseless allegations.

The incident has renewed concerns over political tolerance and the safety of opposition supporters as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.