The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have continued to raised alarm over alleged escalating political violence in different parts of country the latest being Enugu State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest concerns came after gunmen reportedly attacked members of the NDC during a grassroots mobilisation meeting in Obuoffia Ward, Nkanu-West Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday.
The incident, according to reports, occurred at about 3:40 p.m. during a voter sensitisation meeting organised by the party.
One person was reportedly shot in the attack, while other party members and attendees fled the venue in panic.
A video of the incident reportedly showed party members seated at the meeting venue before gunshots were fired, prompting those present to disperse and run for safety.
Details about the identity and condition of the person reportedly shot, as well as the circumstances surrounding the attack, remained unclear as of press time.
The latest incident came amid allegations by PDP chieftain, Chief Basil Ani, that political attacks against members of the party had been recorded at different locations in Enugu State.
Ani warned that the growing tension could have political consequences for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election if the Federal Government was perceived as failing to address the situation.
According to him, anger over alleged attacks on PDP members and supporters was increasingly being transferred to the Federal Government and, by extension, the President.
He argued that what initially appeared to be opposition to the administration of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah was gradually assuming a wider dimension, with opposition politicians, traditional rulers and other residents questioning the Federal Government’s response to the alleged incidents.
Ani cited an alleged attack on a PDP ward meeting at Akpugo Ward 3 on August 16 and another at Obe Ward, Nkanu West Local Government Area, on August 29.
He also alleged that two PDP ward meetings were attacked on September 12, with more than eight people reportedly shot and injured and property destroyed.
“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.
The PDP chieftain expressed concern over what he described as the absence of publicly known arrests or decisive action over the alleged attacks.
He called on security and law-enforcement agencies to investigate the incidents and prosecute anyone found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation.
Ani said the Federal Government should treat the situation as a threat to democratic stability rather than viewing it solely through the prism of political rivalry between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If PDP members are attacked, investigate it. If APC members are attacked, investigate it. If supporters of any other political party are attacked, investigate it,” he said.
He further warned that unresolved political violence could influence the political calculations of traditional and religious leaders in their respective communities.
According to him, some traditional rulers and religious leaders who had previously supported arrangements aimed at securing Tinubu’s re-election, while backing their preferred candidates for state offices, were now questioning whether such arrangements should continue.
He claimed that some of the traditional rulers had reportedly told their subjects that if the President failed to intervene, voters could use the 2027 ballot to express their displeasure.
Ani also said the emergence of Chief Uche Nnaji as a major opposition figure and PDP governorship candidate had further heightened the political contest in the state.
He maintained that public perception of unresolved allegations could become politically consequential even where the facts had yet to be conclusively established.
“The President does not need to take sides in the Enugu political contest. He needs to take the side of democracy,” Ani said.
He warned that continued political violence and perceived official inaction could become major campaign issues ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The warning signs are already visible. The question is whether Abuja is paying attention,” he said.
Meanwhile, the reported attack on the NDC meeting has further heightened concerns over the safety of political actors as parties intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The incidents have also renewed calls for security agencies to protect political gatherings and ensure that citizens are able to participate in political activities without intimidation or violence.
No security agency had, as of the time of filing this report, publicly announced arrests or provided details on the circumstances surrounding the reported NDC attack.
Recall that last Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of ADC Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, warned political actors against mistaking its commitment to peaceful democratic participation for weakness.
The warning came after it’s members were attacked during a meeting in Kaduna.
Reacting to the development, the party said, “let nobody mistake our commitment to peaceful democratic participation for weakness. No political party has a monopoly on non-state sanctioned violence.”
It warned that once violence becomes an accepted tool of political competition, its consequences could become difficult to control.
“Once violence becomes an accepted instrument of political competition, nobody can predict where it ends,” the statement added.
The ADC called on security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, identify those responsible and prosecute them.
“This is why the security agencies must act now. Those responsible for the attack, as well as anyone who sponsored or organised it, must be identified, arrested and prosecuted,” Abdullahi said.
The party expressed solidarity with its Kaduna State governorship candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru, and other members reportedly affected by the incident.
It also called on the Kaduna State Government to ensure the safety of opposition parties and their members as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC maintained that Kaduna State belonged to all its citizens and should not be treated as the preserve of any political party.
“Kaduna belongs to its people, not to any party,” the party said.
It warned that attempts to use intimidation to discourage the ADC from participating in the political process would not succeed.
“If anyone believes intimidation will frighten the ADC off the political field, they have badly miscalculated,” it said.
The party vowed to continue its political activities across the state despite the reported attack, insisting that its campaign would be based on persuasion and competition of ideas rather than violence.
“We will not be intimidated. We will organise, we will campaign, and we will compete in every part of Kaduna State,” the ADC declared.
The party said the 2027 elections should provide Nigerians with an opportunity to choose leaders based on their programmes, policies and ideas rather than the ability of political actors to deploy violence.
“The 2027 elections must be decided by ideas competing at the ballot box, not by thugs and bruises,” it said.
The ADC’s warning comes amid increasing political activities by parties and opposition groups ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties beginning mobilisation, candidate engagements and campaigns across the country.
The party reiterated its commitment to peaceful democratic participation but said such commitment should not be interpreted as an inability or unwillingness to defend its members and political interests through lawful means.
