Enugu violence: Police probe attacks, NDC names eight victims

The Enugu State police command has commenced a probe into the attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress by unidentified hoodlums who invaded a political gathering in Obuofia, Nkanu West Local Government Area.

The police also confirmed a separate attack on a Peoples Democratic Party rally at St Joseph Primary School, Agbani, in Nkanu West, where hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs prepared for the event.

According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, the police said armed hoodlums fired sporadically during the attack on NDC members, injuring two attendees.

Following the incidents, the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to thoroughly investigate the attacks and ensure that the perpetrators were brought to book.

The police said its operatives were deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches and track down fleeing suspects.

The command noted that there had been no prior notification or request for police security coverage for either gathering.

Speaking on the incident, the Enugu NDC, in a statement on Monday, released the names of eight party members who sustained gunshot injuries after unidentified hoodlums invaded their political gathering in Obuofia, Nkanu West LGA on Saturday.

In the statement issued by the media aide to the NDC governorship candidate, Sampson Ukwu, the party identified the injured members as Onovo Donald Ekene, Ngene Godwin Madueke, Ogbodo Gloria, Onovo Victor, Maduabuchi Ugwu, Nnaemeka Nelson, Chinonso Nwagbara and Obinna Daniel Owo.

The attack occurred during the party’s statewide monthly ward meeting at Ihuani Awkunanaw, the hometown of the NDC governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Christian Ohaa.

Beyond the injuries sustained by party members, the invading gunmen destroyed several party materials, canopies and plastic chairs at the venue.

Condemning the attack as a calculated act of political intimidation aimed at suppressing opposition forces in Enugu, Ukwu said the incident fitted into a disturbing pattern following similar violent disruptions recently reported in Akpugo and Obe wards.

Citing Sections 33(1) and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which protect the right to life and freedom of association, the NDC campaign team said no group had the authority to turn a political gathering into a scene of violence.

“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 constitutional rights.

“Those who resort to shooting innocent people simply because they belong to a different political organisation must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted without delay,” the statement said.

The NDC leadership subsequently petitioned the Enugu State police command and the Department of State Services to immediately track down and arrest the attackers.

Reacting to the attack, Ohaa maintained that the opposition party would not yield to fear ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

“The entire NDC family in Enugu State remains undeterred. We will not be intimidated. We will not abandon our people. We will continue our peaceful and issue-based campaign until the will of Ndi Enugu prevails in 2027,” Ohaa said.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the PDP, Basil Ani, has warned that rising political tension and alleged violence in Enugu State could affect President Bola Tinubu’s popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ani, in a statement on Monday, said growing anger over alleged attacks on PDP members and supporters was increasingly being directed at the Federal Government and, by extension, the President.

He warned that the situation could trigger a protest vote against Tinubu if the Federal Government was perceived to have failed to intervene in the alleged political violence.

According to him, what began largely as opposition to the administration of Governor Peter Mbah was gradually assuming a wider dimension, with some opposition politicians, traditional rulers and other citizens questioning the Federal Government’s response to developments in the state.

He cited alleged attacks on PDP activities in different parts of the state, including a ward meeting at Akpugo Ward 3 on August 16 and another meeting at Obe Ward, Nkanu West Local Government Area, on August 29.

He also referred to alleged attacks on two PDP ward meetings on Saturday, September 12, during which more than eight people were 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?” he asked.

Ani said the incidents had generated concern among political stakeholders, particularly against the backdrop of what he described as the absence of publicly known arrests or decisive action over the alleged attacks.

He urged security and law enforcement agencies to investigate the incidents and prosecute anyone found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation.

The PDP chieftain said the Federal Government should not view the situation through the narrow prism of the rivalry between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress, but as an issue concerning democratic stability.

“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 traditional rulers and religious leaders could influence the political calculations of their communities if they became convinced that the Federal Government was indifferent to the alleged victimisation of their people.

He said accounts emerging from political circles indicated that 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 under the PDP, were now questioning whether such arrangements should continue.

According to him, some of the traditional rulers had reportedly told their subjects that if the President allowed the situation to continue unchecked, voters should consider expressing their displeasure at the ballot box in 2027.

The PDP stalwart said the emergence of former minister, Uche Nnaji, as a major opposition figure and PDP governorship candidate had further intensified the political contest in the state.

He noted that perception could become as politically consequential as facts, particularly where allegations remained unresolved.

“The President does not need to take sides in the Enugu political contest. He needs to take the side of democracy,” he said.