Peter Obi, Seriake Dickson, Rabiu Kwankwaso
ENUGU — The Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has strongly condemned an alleged attack on its members by suspected political thugs during a ward meeting, describing the incident as a clear act of political thuggery aimed at intimidating the opposition.
The attack occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ihuani Awkunanaw in Obuofia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State — the ancestral home of the Awkunanaw people and the hometown of the party’s candidate, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.
Members had gathered for the party’s state-wide monthly ward meeting and a voter-sensitisation exercise when hoodlums invaded the venue and opened fire on the peaceful gathering.
According to Sampson Ukwu, media aide to Ohaa, eight people sustained gunshot injuries. Those identified include Onovo Donald Ekene, Ngene Godwin Madueke, Ogbodo Gloria, Onovo Victor, Maduabuchi Ugwu, Nnaemeka Nelson, Chinonso Nwagbara and Obinna Daniel Owo. Canopies, chairs and party materials were also vandalised and destroyed during the attack.
In a statement, the NDC described the assault as an attempt to silence opposition voices through violence. “
“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. Â
“Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that: ‘Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria’.
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
The party said. Ohaa vowed that the NDC in Enugu State would resist any repeat of such incidents and remain undeterred in its activities.
The party called on the Enugu State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the attack, apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Police authorities in Enugu have acknowledged reports of disruptions to political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area around the same period. The Commissioner of Police directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to book. Officers were reportedly deployed to the scenes after receiving information about the attacks.
The incident comes amid rising concerns over pre-election political violence in parts of Enugu State as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. The NDC, which fields Peter Obi as its presidential candidate nationally, has maintained that such acts of intimidation will not deter its mobilisation efforts.
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