The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused alleged state-sponsored thugs of attacking its members during a grassroots meeting in Obuoffia Ward, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The party condemned the incident and called on security agencies to investigate the attack, identify those responsible and bring both the alleged perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.

Key Facts

• The NDC said its members were attacked during a peaceful meeting in Obuoffia Ward, Nkanu West LGA.
• The party alleged that the attackers were state-sponsored thugs.
• NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the incident as an attack on democratic participation.
• The party criticised what it called the inadequate response of security agencies in Enugu and other parts of the South-East.
• The NDC also referenced previous attacks involving its activities in Imo State.
• The party has demanded a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

What Happened?

According to a statement issued by NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director, party members were attacked while holding a grassroots meeting in Obuoffia Ward.

The party described the incident as unprovoked and accused individuals it characterised as state-sponsored thugs of carrying out the attack. The NDC said the incident went beyond its members and raised concerns about the ability of political parties to organise and participate peacefully in the democratic process.

Director said the party would not be deterred from organising its members or mobilising support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NDC also accused security agencies of failing to respond promptly to attacks involving opposition members in Enugu and across the South-East.

Key Players

The NDC: The opposition party at the centre of the incident, which has accused alleged state-sponsored thugs of attacking its members.

Osa Director: The party’s National Publicity Secretary who issued the statement condemning the incident and outlining the NDC’s demands.

Security agencies: The institutions the NDC has called upon to investigate the attack and ensure that those responsible face justice.

APC in Enugu: The ruling party in the state, which the NDC accused of being concerned about the opposition party’s growing political momentum. The claim was made by the NDC and was not independently established in the statement provided.

What The NDC Said

Director said the party regarded the alleged attack as more than an incident involving its members, arguing that it affected the broader democratic space.

“The violence visited on NDC members in Enugu and other parts of the South-East is an affront to Nigeria’s democracy and a direct attack on the freedom of association guaranteed by the Constitution.”

The party also warned that it would continue to organise and mobilise despite what it described as attempts to intimidate its members.

Director said the NDC had previously experienced two attacks in Imo State, including during a town hall meeting and a consultation involving the party’s senatorial candidate, Uche Onyeogocha.

The NDC further alleged that the response of security agencies to such incidents had been inadequate, arguing that a failure to act promptly could encourage further attacks.

A Wider Political Dispute

The Enugu incident has taken on a wider political dimension because the NDC has connected the alleged attack to opposition participation and its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party said it would continue its grassroots activities and mobilisation despite the incident. It also argued that attempts to create fear among its supporters would not stop its political activities.

The NDC’s accusation against alleged sponsors of the attack, as well as its criticism of the security agencies, therefore forms part of a broader dispute over political participation and the security of opposition activities in the region.

The party’s claims concerning the alleged attackers, their sponsors and the APC’s alleged involvement remain allegations contained in the NDC’s statement.

What The Party Wants

The NDC has called on security agencies to launch what it described as a thorough investigation into the incident.

The party wants those responsible for the alleged attack, as well as anyone found to have sponsored it, to be brought to justice.

Director said the NDC would continue to organise, mobilise and defend what the party described as the democratic space.

For now, the central issue raised by the NDC is whether the alleged attack will be investigated and whether the security agencies will identify and prosecute those responsible.