NDC Campaign Convoy Attacked in Kano State

A convoy carrying the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the party's Kano State governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam, was attacked by thugs in the Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State on Sunday. The incident occurred as the campaign team was moving through the area. According to the spokesperson for the NDC governorship candidate, Ibrahim Shu'aibu, the team had campaigned peacefully in several local government areas without disruption.

The NDC campaign team had received reports that the road to Bichi was barricaded by thugs, but they proceeded with their campaign. Upon arrival, stone-throwing thugs attacked the convoy, and more armed youths emerged near the local government secretariat to continue the assault. Several members of the campaign team sustained injuries during the attack. Multiple vehicles in the entourage were vandalised, with at least seven vehicles smashed.

The Kano State Police Command has not yet commented on the incident. The attack in Kano occurred just three days after a similar incident in Lagos State, where hoodlums stormed an NDC town hall meeting. The Lagos event was scheduled to be addressed by the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. The NDC accused supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the attack.

The APC Presidential Campaign Council denied involvement in the Lagos incident, condemning the violence and urging security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators. Civil society groups, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), have called on President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to launch an impartial investigation into the attacks on the NDC campaign teams.

The NDC campaign team had campaigned peacefully in Tofa, Rimingado, Kabo, Gwarzo, Shanono, and Bagwai local government areas before the attack in Bichi. The party's spokesperson in Kano, Ibrahim Shu'aibu, reported that the team was attacked as they advanced past the local government secretariat.

The violence against the NDC campaign teams has raised concerns about the security situation in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections. The incidents have also sparked calls for increased security measures to protect political candidates and their campaign teams.

The NDC has not commented on the potential impact of these attacks on their campaign efforts. The party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have not made public statements on the incidents.

Key points

• The NDC accused APC supporters of orchestrating the attack in Lagos.
• SERAP called for an impartial investigation into the attacks.
• Several members of the NDC campaign team were injured, and multiple vehicles were vandalised during the attack in Kano State.