“Violence Will Not Silence Or Intimidate Us” — NDC Condemns Attack On Obi’s Convoy As Police Arrest Suspect

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has condemned an attack on the convoy of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Calabar, Cross River State, as police confirmed the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect in connection with the incident.

The attack occurred at about 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday at the Watt Market Roundabout as Obi’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to the Metropolitan Hotel, venue of the party’s presidential town hall meeting.

According to the Cross River State Police Command, a group of suspected hoodlums armed with machetes and sticks emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked vehicles in the convoy, smashing the windshields of some of them.

The police said personnel deployed in the area intervened and used tear gas to disperse the attackers, leading to the arrest of a suspect identified as Victor Edet Yellow-Duke, 27, while others fled the scene.

The suspect was subsequently taken to the State Police Headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for investigation.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said Commissioner of Police Ajo Geoffrey Ordue had ordered a thorough investigation to identify and arrest other persons involved and establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.

The command cautioned that Yellow-Duke’s arrest did not amount to a finding of guilt.

“The arrest of a suspect does not amount to a determination of guilt, as the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence pending the conclusion of investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings,” the police said.

The command added that normalcy had been restored and assured political parties, candidates, supporters and residents of equal security protection regardless of political affiliation.

Reacting to the attack, the NDC said no member of Obi’s delegation was injured, although vehicles in the convoy were damaged.

In a statement signed by the spokesperson of its National Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, the party described the incident as an unacceptable threat to peaceful democratic participation.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and every Nigerian has the right to campaign, associate and participate in politics without fear of violence,” the party stated.

The NDC called on the Cross River State Government and security agencies to fully investigate the attack, identify all those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted.

It warned authorities against ignoring incidents of political violence, saying failure to act could encourage further attacks.

“They must not look the other way or conduct themselves in ways that suggest tolerance or complicity in political violence. Silence and inaction only embolden perpetrators,” the statement added.

The party also recalled what it described as a similar incident in Benue State, where Obi’s convoy allegedly encountered a roadblock mounted by a mob along the Makurdi-Gboko Federal Highway near the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi.

Against that background, the NDC expressed concern over what it described as recurring attempts at political intimidation.

“Let it be clearly understood: NDC will not be intimidated, silenced or deterred by violence,” Ikokwu said.

The party maintained that political power must be obtained through the democratic choices of voters rather than intimidation or violence.

“No one should imagine that power can be seized through threats, intimidation and attacks rather than earned through the democratic will of the people,” it added.

“This is a crucial election for Nigeria. Our democracy must not be held hostage by political violence.”

Despite the incident, Obi proceeded to the Metropolitan Hotel for the scheduled presidential town hall meeting, where he met with party supporters and other stakeholders.

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