The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has spoken out after political thugs attacked his convoy in Calabar, Cross River State on Wednesday, November 4th 2026, describing how stones were hurled at his team as people fled, vowing that such violence will cone to an end if he wins the 2027 predidential election.
Obi was in Calabar with his wife, Margaret, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, after earlier paying a courtesy call on the Obong of Calabar.
On their way to a hotel opposite the U.J. Esuene Stadium for a scheduled town hall meeting, the convoy came under attack around the Watt Market Roundabout.
Hoodlums pelted the vehicles and supporters with stones, bottles and other objects.
Some vehicles in the motorcade were damaged, with windscreens shattered.
Neither Obi nor Kwankwaso was injured.
the Cross River police comma later confirmed that one suspect, a 27-year-old Victor Edet Yellow Duke, had been arrested in connection with the attack, with investigations on-going to identify others involved and their possible sponsors.
Earlier in the day, security operatives had intervened to prevent a potential clash between NDC supporters and APC groups near the venue of the town hall meeting.
Obi’s media aide, Esther Umoh, had raised the alarm on social media as the situation developed, posting that thugs were trying to attack the convoy.
Speaking later during the town hall meeting, Obi confirmed the attack.
He said his security team reported that the assailants were armed with machetes and other weapons and advised him to take another route.
According to him, he refused and insisted on confronting the situation directly.
“APC people were throwing stones at us and people were running away. All these things are happening because Nigerians allow it. We’re not going to allow it in 2027,” he stated.
He added that when he wanted to get down from the vehicle and meet the attackers so he could offer advise to them, they fled.
The incident is the second reported attempt to disrupt his campaign movement in recent months, following a similar blockade in Benue State.
The NDC leadership has condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable, calling on security agencies and the Cross River State government to investigate thoroughly and prosecute those responsible.
Obi said the episode was not just as an isolated assault, but as a symptom of a deeper national malaise which he noted, must end before the next election cycle.
